I remain in APC — Omisore quells defection rumours
By Ismail Azeez
A former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has dismissed rumours speculating about his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his steadfast membership in the party.
The clarification follows the recent defection of some of his supporters including his 2018 gubernatorial running mate, Yemi Lawal to the Accord Party, where they pledged allegiance to the re-election bid of the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
Omisore cleared the air on Tuesday after attending the statutory monthly meeting of the APC elders’ caucus, known as “Igbimo-Agba Osun,” held in Ilobu, the headquarters of the Irepodun Local Government Area.
The former National Secretary of the APC described the defection rumours as mere products of social media speculation and misinterpretation of events, urging the public to completely disregard them.
Speaking through the Director-General of the Senator Iyiola Omisore Campaign Group, Honourable Israel Famurewa, the APC chieftain insisted that he remains a dedicated party member committed to working for its overall success.
“I think seeing is believing. Senator Omisore is here at the meeting, and that alone is enough to debunk the rumour that he has left the party.”
“We all know him; if he actually wanted to leave the party, he would address a formal press conference. What is flying around social media is just a rumour,” Famurewa said.
He added, “Nobody can say they sat down with Senator Iyiola and were told that he had left the party. It is just an insinuation that people are carrying around. You can see him here today, and we are planning together on how to win the next election. As far as I am concerned, Iyiola Omisore is a bona fide member of the APC and a member of the Igbimo-Agba Osun.”
Addressing whether Senator Omisore orchestrated the exit of his supporters to the Accord Party, Famurewa described their departure as an individual choice, clarifying that Omisore gave no such directive.
“I happen to be the DG of his campaign group. All of us joined the party as individuals, not as a rigid group. People have individual choices; some may decide to leave based on their own decisions. A political party features free entry and free exit, so some of them may have their personal grievances.”
“Senator Omisore didn’t give any instructions. If he wanted to do so, he would pass the instruction through me to others, that is the way we operate,” Famurewa explained.
He urged the people of Osun State to turn out in large numbers on election day to exercise their civic responsibilities without fear of intimidation or harassment.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the APC Igbimo-Agba, Engr. Sola Akinkunmi, explained that the statutory meeting was convened to strategize ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial election.
“Senator Omisore and other members of Igbimo-Agba are here. As you all know, the governorship election is around the corner, so we need to meet regularly,” Akinkunmi noted.
Expressing optimism that the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, will emerge victorious, the Igbimo-Agba Chairman urged residents of the state to come out en masse and cast their votes for the APC.