Omisore: My Disqualification from Osun APC Primary is ‘Joke of the Year’

Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has dismissed reports of his disqualification from the party’s Osun State governorship primary as “the joke of the year,” insisting that the screening committee’s decision cannot stand.

On Friday, the APC screening committee released its report barring Omisore and six other aspirants from participating in the December 13 governorship primary. The committee, chaired by Obinna Uzoh, said the affected aspirants failed to present documentary evidence showing they were properly sponsored by at least five fully registered, financially up-to-date party members from each Local Government Area (LGA), as required by the APC constitution and the party’s nomination guidelines.

The report, transmitted to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, immediately generated controversy across political circles in Osun State, with many describing it as the first major test of APC’s internal democracy ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

But in a swift reaction on Friday evening, Omisore dismissed the decision as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking through a statement released by his media office, he said the reasons cited by the screening panel were “laughable excuses” that betrayed “a predetermined attempt to edge out credible aspirants.”

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According to Omisore, the claim that he could not provide sufficient evidence of sponsorship is “not only false but deliberately misleading,” arguing that he complied with all constitutional requirements and submitted every document requested by the committee.

“*My disqualification is the jokest report of the year. It cannot stand, not even for a minute. I fulfilled every legal and constitutional requirement of the APC, and those who sat on that panel know this. What they have done is nothing but a poorly executed script,*” he said.

The former deputy governor of Osun State noted that the APC constitution does not permit any committee to arbitrarily remove aspirants without giving them an opportunity to respond to allegations. He argued that the panel acted in bad faith and exceeded its mandate.

“I was never queried, never invited to clarify anything, and never told of any deficiencies. Then suddenly, they claim I didn’t present evidence of sponsorship. That alone shows their report is fundamentally defective,” he added.

Political observers say the issue reflects deeper divisions within the Osun APC, which has been grappling with internal rivalries since its electoral defeat in 2022. Party insiders claim that factions loyal to different power blocs are attempting to either clear the path for preferred candidates or weaken perceived threats.

Omisore, a dominant political figure in Osun for over two decades, is believed to command significant grassroots influence, especially in the Ife axis. His critics, however, argue that his popularity has waned, and his return to the governorship race has unsettled stakeholders seeking new faces ahead of the 2026 contest.

The APC screening committee insists it acted strictly in line with the rules. A member of the panel, who spoke anonymously, said the screening was “transparent, fact-based, and guided entirely by the party constitution.” He added that aspirants were assessed using a standardized checklist, leaving “no room for political interference.”

“*Anyone who did not meet the documentary requirements was disqualified. It is as simple as that. The guidelines are clear, and every aspirant was aware of what to submit,*” the source said.

However, Omisore maintains that the panel’s report is flawed and vowed to seek redress through the appeal committee. According to him, the APC must not allow internal manipulation to undermine its chances of reclaiming Osun in 2026.

“I will present my case to the appeal committee, and I have no doubt that justice will prevail. The APC must learn from past mistakes. What Osun needs is unity, not exclusion or kangaroo decisions,” he said.

Analysts say the appeal committee now faces pressure to adjudicate fairly, as its verdict will determine the final list of aspirants cleared for the primary. If the appeal committee reverses the disqualification, Omisore will re-enter a crowded race featuring both veteran politicians and emerging contenders from Osun West and Osun Central.

Meanwhile, the APC national leadership has yet to issue an official reaction, but party sources confirm that the NWC is monitoring the situation closely to prevent escalation.

As the December 13 primary draws nearer, the internal contest within the Osun APC is rapidly becoming a battle of influence, legitimacy, and political survival. Whether Omisore’s challenge succeeds or not, the controversy has already intensified the spotlight on a party seeking to rebuild its unity ahead of 2026.