The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified its former National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and six other aspirants from participating in the forthcoming Osun governorship primary slated for 13 December 2025.
The development followed the submission of the Screening Committee’s report to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja on Friday. The Committee, chaired by Chief Obinna Uzoh, said the affected aspirants failed to meet mandatory nomination requirements stipulated in the party’s Constitution and guidelines.
Others disqualified are Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Senator Babajide Omoworare.
According to the Committee, the disqualified aspirants did not present evidence of sponsorship from at least five financially up-to-date and fully registered party members from each Local Government Area in Osun State, as required by Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party’s governorship primary guidelines.
However, two aspirants — Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji — were cleared to contest the primary.
The Committee explained that its screening process involved documentary examinations and structured interviews assessing aspirants’ preparedness, adherence to rules, and overall suitability. It said the approach ensured fairness, transparency, and objectivity.
The Screening Committee also acknowledged receipt of a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group calling for the disqualification of certain aspirants. It said the issues raised were weighty and relevant to the integrity of the process, leading to a uniform application of rules across all aspirants.
While noting lingering factional divisions within the Osun APC, the Committee recommended the establishment of a reconciliation mechanism and equitable distribution of political appointments, party offices and campaign roles to foster unity.
Omisore Camp Reacts, Describes Disqualification Report as “Unverified Rumour”
Shortly after the publication of the disqualification report, the Osun Rescue Mission Team, loyal to Senator Omisore, issued a rebuttal describing the circulating reports as speculative and unconfirmed.
In a statement signed by Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, Director-General, Osun Rescue Mission Team, the group urged supporters to remain calm while the situation is clarified within the party hierarchy.
The statement reads partly: “The attention of the Osun Rescue Mission Team has been drawn to a circulating rumour, further amplified by a few national dailies and online platforms, alleging the disqualification of Distinguished Senator Iyiola Omisore and six other aspirants by the Screening Committee of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We wish to categorically state that these reports are unverified, misleading, and should be treated as mere speculation.
“The leadership of the Rescue Mission Team is already engaging the appropriate organs of the party to ascertain the true position of things, and we are confident that due process, fairness, and transparency values our party upholds will prevail.
“We urge everyone to remain calm and refrain from spreading unconfirmed information until the necessary clarifications are concluded.”
Famurewa added that the Team had received numerous messages of solidarity from supporters across the state, assuring that “truth will triumph over misinformation”.
He encouraged supporters to maintain faith in the process and remain committed to the progressive ideals of the movement, insisting that all issues would be resolved and made public in due course.
