A Political Farce or Fair Play? Senator Omisore Slams Osun APC Primary Disqualification as 'A Huge Joke'
In a dramatic turn of events, Senator Iyiola Omisore, a former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has vehemently criticized his disqualification from the party’s Osun State governorship primary. Omisore didn’t hold back, labeling the decision as nothing short of “a huge joke” and accusing the screening panel of blatant bias and procedural irregularities. But here's where it gets controversial: Omisore claims the entire process was manipulated to favor a specific candidate, raising serious questions about fairness and transparency within the party.
Speaking on behalf of the disqualified aspirants after a meeting with the APC Screening Appeal Panel in Abuja on Saturday, Omisore pointed fingers directly at former Governor and Minister of Marine Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. He alleged that Oyetola exerted undue influence to ensure Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji’s path to the primary remained unobstructed. This accusation, if proven true, could shake the foundations of the APC’s internal democracy.
The APC Screening Committee had earlier barred Omisore and six other aspirants—Babatunde Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Senator Babajide Omoworare—from contesting the governorship primary scheduled for December 13. The committee cited alleged irregularities in their nomination forms, specifically claiming the aspirants failed to meet the requirement of sponsorship from at least five fully registered and financially up-to-date party members in each Local Government Area of the state. This requirement is outlined in Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party guidelines.
Only two candidates, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, were cleared to contest the primary. Omisore, however, vehemently rejected the grounds for disqualification, arguing that none of the aspirants had been formally notified of any specific infractions. He described the panel’s report as “the jokiest report of the year,” lamenting that partisanship had overshadowed the principles of fairness and due process. And this is the part most people miss: Omisore revealed that the panel allegedly produced multiple reports, and the one submitted to the secretariat was not the original. As of now, none of the disqualified aspirants have been shown the report or informed of the exact reasons for their disqualification.
Omisore also challenged the committee’s claim that some aspirants lacked the required number of nominators. He pointed out that the party leadership had full access to the membership register, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the disqualification. “If they allege we didn’t have nominators, they should prove it,” Omisore stated, emphasizing the legal principle that the burden of proof lies with the accuser. He suggested that the committee should have employed a different method to disqualify the aspirants, one that adhered to the principles of fairness and transparency.
This situation, Omisore argued, raises broader concerns about the integrity of the party’s nomination system. “We are the veterans in this game,” he asserted, questioning how the disqualification of seasoned politicians like himself could be justified. “Where do we go from here if this is how the party treats its most experienced members?”
Despite the setback, Omisore expressed confidence that the National Working Committee (NWC) would review the decision and possibly overturn it. He cited signs of factionalism within the Osun APC as a reason for optimism, suggesting that the NWC, armed with the party’s membership list, would recognize the flaws in the disqualification process. “All of us aspirants are in the same boat,” he noted, highlighting the systemic issues that led to the disqualification. “This calls for caution and a reevaluation of how we conduct our internal processes.”
But here’s the burning question: Is this a case of political maneuvering or a genuine oversight? Could Omisore’s disqualification be part of a larger strategy to consolidate power within the party? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think the APC’s screening process was fair, or is there more to this story than meets the eye? Share your opinions in the comments below and let’s spark a conversation about the future of Nigerian politics.
