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A former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has criticized his exclusion from the party’s Osun State governorship primary, labeling the action as “a complete farce.” He accused the screening panel of bias and violating procedures.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday after a meeting with the APC Screening Appeal Panel, Omisore, representing the affected aspirants, claimed that former Governor and Minister of Marine Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, had improperly influenced the process to benefit Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

Previously, the APC Screening Committee had disqualified Omisore along with six other aspirants from participating in the December 13 governorship primary due to alleged irregularities in their nomination documents.

The individuals barred from the contest include Omisore, Babatunde Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Senator Babajide Omoworare.

The committee stated that the aspirants failed to provide proof of sponsorship from at least five fully registered and financially viable party members in each Local Government Area, as required by Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party’s guidelines.

Only Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji were deemed eligible to contest in the primary.

Omisore rejected the grounds for disqualification, asserting that none of the aspirants had received any formal notification detailing the alleged violations.

He remarked, “That panel report is the most ridiculous report of the year. It is unfortunate that some have taken partisanship beyond mere politics.

“We know that the panel produced several reports, and the one submitted to the secretariat was not the original. As it stands, none of us has been shown the report or informed why we were disqualified.”

He further challenged the committee’s claim that some aspirants lacked the required number of nominators, arguing that the party leadership already had complete access to the membership register.

“I am the only one who has met them. However, we have the same concerns. So far, so good. All of us will meet the appeal panel individually. But I asked them, ‘What are the allegations, because we haven’t seen any?’

“We haven’t received any communication. So, what are the grounds for disqualification? You claim we didn’t have nominators, five per local government. But the law states that he who alleges must prove. They should have utilized another method to disqualify us,” Omisore stated.

He expressed that this situation highlighted broader issues regarding the fairness and transparency of the party’s nomination process.

“You can tell from our backgrounds that the term disqualification isn’t appropriate for us because we are integral to this process. We are the veterans! It raises the question of where we go from here when people like us are disqualified in any competition?” he added.

Omisore expressed optimism that the National Working Committee would reconsider the matter and possibly overturn the decision, citing what he described as increasing signs of factionalism within the Osun APC.

“Personally, I anticipate positive developments in my life. The NWC, in their wisdom, has access to the list of party members, and we have over 13,000 members who are financiers.

“All of us aspirants are equally guilty of the same issues, utilizing the same system. That’s the crux of the matter, and it calls for caution,” he concluded.

What was Senator Omisore's reaction to his disqualification?

Senator Omisore described his disqualification as a “complete farce” and criticized the screening panel for bias and procedural violations.

What were the reasons given for the disqualification of the aspirants?

The disqualification was based on alleged irregularities in their nomination documents, specifically the failure to submit proof of sponsorship from the required number of party members.

How many aspirants were disqualified from the primary?

Seven aspirants, including Senator Omisore, were disqualified from the December 13 governorship primary.

What does Omisore hope will happen next?

Omisore expressed confidence that the National Working Committee would review the situation and potentially reverse the disqualification decision.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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