A former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Iyiola Omisore, has expressed disappointment over his disqualification from the Osun APC primary election, describing it as a joke and an embarrassment. In an interview on Arise Television, Omisore stated that the party’s decision is limited by the Electoral Act, which stipulates that the nomination of a candidate is not the sole prerogative of any party.
The APC Screening Committee had disqualified Omisore and six other aspirants from participating in the December 13 governorship primary due to alleged irregularities in their nomination documents. The other disqualified aspirants include Babatunde Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Senator Babajide Omoworare.
Omisore’s disqualification comes after the party’s loss in the 2022 election in Osun State. A post-mortem analysis of the loss, led by former Minister of Health Isaac Adewale, reportedly identified the then-governor Gboyega Oyetola’s actions as a contributing factor. The report allegedly implicated some of Oyetola’s cabinet members in the election loss. Omisore claimed that the state leadership is against Oyetola’s current stance, which he believes is an attempt to impose a candidate on the state.
According to Omisore, the party’s decision to disqualify him and other aspirants may be linked to Oyetola’s sponsorship of one of the individuals implicated in the 2022 election loss. Omisore emphasized that he does not want to involve President Bola Tinubu in the matter, stating that the President has been fair to all concerned and has done well for the country.
The disqualification of Omisore and other aspirants has significant implications for the upcoming election in 2026. The party’s decision may be seen as an attempt to exert control over the nomination process, which could potentially lead to further conflicts within the party. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the party will navigate these challenges and ensure a fair and transparent nomination process.
