Omisore Speaks After Disqualification From APC Osun Governorship Primary

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A fresh controversy has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State after one of its prominent figures publicly rejected his disqualification from the party’s governorship primary process.

Former APC National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore openly criticized the decision of the party’s screening committee, arguing that the process that led to his exclusion from the contest lacked credibility and transparency.

Appeal Filed After Screening Decision

According to Gossip News Now, Omisore spoke to journalists in Abuja shortly after appearing before the party’s Appeal Committee on Saturday. The meeting followed complaints from several aspirants who were barred from participating in the governorship primary election in Osun State.

The former deputy governor used the opportunity to challenge the conclusions reached by the screening panel, insisting that the outcome did not reflect fairness or proper procedure.

Omisore Questions Integrity of Screening Panel

During his interaction with reporters, the politician did not hide his frustration with the process. He described the panel’s findings in harsh terms and suggested that the report produced by the committee lacked authenticity.

At one point, Omisore remarked that the report released by the panel was questionable and appeared to have been influenced by political interests outside the committee itself. He claimed that different versions of the report may have existed before the final document was submitted.

He further stated that the aspirants affected by the decision had not been formally informed about the detailed reasons behind their disqualification.

Allegations of External Pressure

Another serious claim raised by Omisore centered on alleged pressure placed on members of the screening panel. He hinted that influential individuals may have attempted to influence the process in order to favor a particular candidate.

The former senator suggested that even members of the panel privately acknowledged facing intense pressure during the screening exercise, which he said ultimately affected the outcome.

According to him, the situation has left several aspirants feeling unfairly treated within their own party.

Dispute Over Nomination Requirements

One of the explanations reportedly cited for the disqualification was the claim that some aspirants failed to secure the required number of nominators.

However, Omisore rejected that justification and questioned how the party leadership reached such a conclusion. He pointed out that the APC maintains official membership records that could easily confirm the validity of nominators listed by each aspirant.

The politician argued that if such information was in doubt, party authorities should have conducted proper verification before disqualifying anyone.

Confidence in Party Leadership

Despite his strong criticism of the screening process, Omisore expressed hope that the matter could still be resolved through the party’s internal mechanisms.

According to Gossip News Now reports that, he believes the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC will eventually examine the issue carefully and correct what he considers a flawed decision.

He maintained that the appeal process offers an opportunity for the party to demonstrate fairness and restore confidence among its members.

Internal Divisions Within Osun APC

Beyond the immediate controversy, Omisore also pointed to deeper issues affecting the APC in Osun State. He noted that even the screening committee itself had acknowledged the presence of factional disputes within the state chapter of the party.

Such internal divisions, he warned, could weaken the party’s chances in future elections if they are not properly addressed.

The former deputy governor suggested that resolving these conflicts should be a priority for party leaders.

Next Step in the Appeal Process

Omisore confirmed that the seven aspirants who were disqualified from the race would appear individually before the appeal committee to present their arguments.

He stressed that the credibility of the process now depends on transparency, fairness, and adherence to party rules. According to him, these principles are necessary to maintain unity and trust among party members.

Commentary and Analysis

Political analysts say disputes over party primaries are common in Nigerian politics, particularly in states where competition for party tickets is intense.

The Osun APC situation highlights how internal disagreements can escalate into public confrontations when aspirants believe the process has been manipulated.

If the appeal committee overturns the disqualification, it could ease tensions within the party. However, if the decision stands, the controversy may deepen divisions and potentially influence the party’s performance in the governorship election.

Ultimately, the resolution of the dispute will depend on how effectively the party leadership manages the appeal process and addresses the concerns raised by the affected aspirants.