OSUN APC GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS REJECT SCREENING COMMITTEE VERDICT, FAULT PROCESS AS “MIXED IN FACT AND LAW” ••• APPEAL PANEL FINALLY DISPLAYS DISCIPLINE, HEARS ALL ASPIRANTS INDIVIDUALLY

Tensions that had long simmered within the Osun State chapter of the ruling APC erupted publicly on Thursday as seven governorship aspirants jointly dismissed the report of the party’s screening committee, describing it as “factually flawed, unjustly reached, and fundamentally inconsistent with the party’s constitutional provisions.”

After hours of private consultations in Abuja, the aspirants—standing together in a show of unity—appointed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Kunle Adegoke (SAN), to address the press and speak on their collective behalf.

Speaking for the group, Adegoke said the seven aspirants felt compelled to “correct a narrative already mutating into falsehood.” Their tone was restrained but firm; their message unmistakably clear.

The crux of their protest, he explained, lies in the committee’s assertion that the aspirants—among them, former Osun State Deputy Governor and ex-National Secretary of the APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore—failed to secure sponsorship from “fully registered and financially up-to-date party members.”
But, according to the aspirants, this claim collapses upon scrutiny.

“We are here to state plainly that the reasons advanced by the screening committee are fundamentally incorrect,” they said.

The press briefing became an opportunity to shed light on issues that had appeared confusing to observers, offering fresh clarity on norms, values, and procedural questions surrounding the escalating Osun APC crisis.

The seven aspirants insisted, “The claim that we failed to meet the sponsorship requirement is simply untrue. We complied, we possess the required documentation, and we stand on verifiable facts.”

Earlier, the aspirants had spent hours at the venue of the Appeal Panel’s sitting—AMOR Hotels, formerly Grand Towers Hotel, located in Katampe, Abuja—an obscure location believed to be owned by the Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru, a former lawmaker.

Finding the venue proved a major challenge. Neither written nor verbal communication had been issued by the Appeal Panel at least 48 hours prior, leaving the aspirants wandering in search of the meeting point.
Had they failed to locate the venue, they could have been unfairly deemed absent or non-compliant with party rules.

“They have been expecting us since morning, and we are here,” one of the aspirants said. “We are taking turns to present our cases,” he added, suggesting a process that, in their view, had drifted from principles of transparency.

Party insiders described the December 3 and 4 governorship screening exercise as tense beneath the surface, leaving the aspirants—regarded as men of honour and integrity—deeply dissatisfied. They used the Appeal Panel window to argue that their disqualification amounted to administrative excess capable of widening internal divides ahead of the primaries.

Reliable APC national sources confirmed that the Screening Committee Chairman, Chief Obinna Uzor, alongside two committee members, hurriedly released a minority report to the public—raising suspicions of compromise under political pressure from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. The trio, according to insiders, appeared inclined to submit to the minister’s dictates.

In a troubling twist, Chief Uzor and his allies allegedly falsified the signatures of the committee’s secretary, Amb. Usman Bayaraa, and three others. This unprofessional conduct, observers say, will inevitably draw public scrutiny, and the party is urged not to overlook such breaches of internal discipline.

The seven aspirants now place their hopes on the National Working Committee (NWC), which they expect—alongside well-meaning Nigerians—to conduct a more rigorous, fair, and rules-based evaluation of the disputed screening verdict.

Described as men of discipline, intellect, and integrity, the aspirants argue that the APC must not set a precedent that undermines its democratic architecture, especially at a politically delicate time.

Analysts believe the situation reflects the intense power struggles characteristic of pre-election seasons, but the united front of seven aspirants signals a dispute capable of reshaping both the Osun APC’s internal dynamics and potentially the party’s wider national structure.

For now, the aspirants remain steadfast, insisting their demand is not for favour but for equity, transparency, and fairness—principles that could shape the complexion of Osun State’s 2026 governorship contest slated for August 8.

One development that has puzzled observers is the silence of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
Senior party figures argue that, given the clear difference between “belief and knowledge,” leadership requires courage, firmness, and the ability to confront individuals attempting to exceed their political boundaries.

At a time when a firm grip is needed to manage Osun’s unfolding crisis, the National Chairman has appeared reluctant to discipline the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Isiaka Oyetola, over alleged interference in the party’s democratic processes.

This passiveness, some observers say, creates the impression of a non-chalant disposition that could be interpreted in various ways. While some may question whether he has been compromised—a claim dismissed by many—others believe his lack of response reflects early signs of moral or administrative weakness.

To these critics, his silence amid the erosion of party ethos, values, and foundational principles raises concerns about his ability to enforce fairness, justice, and transparency—the virtues expected of a national party leader.