The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified its former National Secretary and ex-Senator Iyiola Omisore, along with six other aspirants, from participating in the party’s 2026 governorship primary in Osun State.

A screening committee chaired by Chief Obinna Uzoh concluded its exercise on December 4, 2025, and submitted its report to the party’s national leadership the following day. The committee said the affected aspirants failed to meet mandatory nomination requirements particularly the rule mandating sponsorship from at least five fully registered and financially up-to-date APC members in every Local Government Area of Osun State.

Those disqualified include:
• Iyiola Omisore
• Babatunde Haketer Oralusi
• Oyedotun Babayemi (Dotun Babayemi)
• Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi (Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi)
• Former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi
• Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle (Kunle Adegoke, SAN)
• Senator Babajide Omoworare

Only two aspirants, Mulikat Abiola (Adeola) Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (Oyebanji), were cleared to contest the December 13 primary, having met all constitutional and guideline requirements, including proper nomination by the requisite number of financially compliant party members across all LGAs.

The committee cited Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the governorship primary guidelines as the basis for its decisions. It also acknowledged receiving a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group, which accused two unnamed aspirants of failing to meet mandatory nominator criteria.

In its six-page report, signed by all members, the committee described the issues raised as “weighty, substantial, and germane to the integrity of the screening process.” To ensure fairness, it subjected all nine aspirants to the same strict scrutiny, after which only two were deemed fully compliant.

The seven disqualified aspirants have been referred to the National Working Committee (NWC) for final consideration before the shadow election.

However, the development has triggered controversy within the Osun APC. Supporters of Omisore and others have criticised the decision as politically motivated, raising the prospect of legal battles or internal appeals.

Meanwhile, the Screening Appeal Committee, chaired by Senator Tola Odebiyi, will sit on Saturday in Abuja to hear petitions from the disqualified aspirants and other aggrieved stakeholders.