Iyiola Omisore, former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has vehemently criticized his recent disqualification. He was barred from the Osun APC governorship primary election. Six other aspirants were also disqualified alongside him.

Recall that the Osun State APC committee disqualified Omisore, Babatunde Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Senator Babajide Omoworare. This decision prevents them from participating in the upcoming primary election.

Speaking on Arise Television on Tuesday, the former Osun State Deputy Governor described the disqualification as “a joke and embarrassment.” He argued that the party’s power to disqualify candidates is legally limited.

Oyetola Blamed for Disqualification

Omisore linked the primary controversy to factors behind the APC’s loss in the 2022 Osun governorship election. He specifically accused Gboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Blue Economy and immediate past Governor of the state. Omisore claimed Oyetola orchestrated their disqualification. He further accused Oyetola of attempting to impose a candidate on the state.

Omisore detailed the events, stating, “In Osun State, we lost the election in 2022. After the loss, we conducted a post-mortem to understand why. Former Minister of Health, Isaac Adewale, led this report.”

He continued, “The report was submitted. It indicated that the then-governor, Gboyega Oyetola, caused our election loss. It also named three or four of his cabinet members who aided this failure.”

“This became a widespread problem for the state. Therefore, we believed we needed thorough primaries for future elections. Unfortunately, former Governor Oyetola is now sponsoring one of those individuals blamed for the election losses.”

Omisore asserted, “The entire state leadership opposes his position. He has started to impose a candidate on the state. I want to emphasize that President Bola Tinubu should not be involved in this matter.”

“The President leads our country. He has performed well for everyone. He has been fair to all concerned. In this confusing situation, we aim to win the 2026 election. We cannot repeat the mistakes that led to our 2022 loss.”