Omisore Rejects Osun APC Disqualification

Former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has taken aim at the party’s screening panel after he was barred from the Osun State governorship primary.

He spoke in Abuja on Saturday after meeting the Screening Appeal Panel, saying the decision lacked fairness and was driven by internal interests.

The incident began when the APC Screening Committee disqualified seven aspirants, including Omisore, citing irregularities in their nomination forms. Only two contenders were cleared to run in the December 13 primary. The committee said the affected aspirants failed to present the required number of registered party members sponsoring their bids across all local government areas.

The development followed claims from Omisore that the process was influenced by a former governor and serving minister, who he believes is backing another aspirant. He said the situation raised questions about neutrality within the screening exercise.

Omisore argued that none of the aspirants had been officially informed of any specific offences. He noted that the party leadership has full access to the membership register and should be able to verify nominators rather than rely on assumptions.

He said the disqualification called attention to deeper concerns about internal democracy and transparency in the party’s selection process. He described the aspirants involved as long-standing members who expected a fair contest rather than blanket disqualification.

Omisore expressed hope that the National Working Committee would revisit the matter. He said all aspirants faced the same conditions during the screening and warned that the controversy showed a worrying divide within the Osun APC.

He added that many party members are financiers and fully registered, insisting that the issues raised by the screening committee do not reflect the reality on ground. He urged caution as the party moves toward the governorship primary.