APC Disqualifies Omisore, Ogunbiyi, Omoworare In Osun Guber Screening, Cites Nominator Defects – The Complete Story

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee for the Osun State Governorship Primary Election has released its report, disqualifying key aspirants—including Senator Iyiola Omisore, Dr. Akinade Ogunbiyi, and Senator Babajide Omoworare—over failure to meet mandatory nominator requirements set by the party’s constitution and guidelines.

The screening exercise held on December 3 and 4, 2025, at Amor Hotel, Katampe, Abuja, followed the Committee’s inauguration by the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, OON, on behalf of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

The Committee was tasked with verifying aspirants’ compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, the APC Constitution, and guidelines for the 2025 governorship primary. The process combined a meticulous review of documents submitted by aspirants with a structured physical interaction to assess preparedness, suitability, and adherence to nomination rules.

A total of nine aspirants presented themselves for screening, including well-known political figures such as Omisore, Ogunbiyi, Babayemi, and Omoworare.

The Committee acknowledged receiving a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group alleging that two aspirants did not meet the required nominator threshold. Describing the concerns as weighty, the Committee expanded its scrutiny across all aspirants to ensure uniform application of Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party’s guidelines.

This led to a verification of all nominators submitted by the nine aspirants, particularly confirming whether they were fully registered and financially up-to-date party members across all Local Government Areas of the state.

Seven Aspirants Not Cleared

Following the extended verification, the Committee disqualified seven aspirants, including:

• Sen. Iyiola Omisore
• Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi
• Sen. Babajide Omoworare
• Babatunde Haketer Oralusi
• Mr. Oyedotun Babayemi
• Benedict Olugboyega Alabi
• Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle

They were deemed not to have met the mandatory requirement of being nominated by five valid party members from each of the state’s Local Government Areas. Their disqualification is, however, subject to ratification by the National Working Committee (NWC).

Two Aspirants Cleared

Only two aspirants fully satisfied the party’s constitutional and guideline requirements:

• Mulikat Abiola Jimoh
• Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji

The Committee noted that both individuals met all conditions, including the proper spread and validity of their nominators.

Beyond the screening results, the Committee warned that the Osun APC remains “heavily fractionalised,” a situation it said poses a threat to the credibility of the primary and the party’s chances in the 2026 governorship election.

It recommended:

1. Urgent Reconciliation Mechanism:
   The national leadership should immediately establish a robust structure to reconcile warring factions and restore cohesion.
2. Equitable Political Inclusion:
   Appointments, party positions, and campaign roles should be fairly distributed across zones and interest blocs to reduce marginalisation and strengthen unity.

The Committee expressed gratitude to the APC leadership for the confidence reposed in its members and reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, transparency, and internal party democracy.

The report was signed by Chairman Chief Obinna Uzoh, Esq., alongside Hon. Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe, Hon. Ifeoluwa Arowosoge, Chief Margaret Duru, Princess Farida Odangi, Hon. Ahmed Sani, and Secretary Ambassador Usman Baraya.