The All Progressives Congress screening process for the Osun State governorship primary has ended with seven aspirants disqualified, including former deputy governor and APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
In its report submitted on Friday, the seven-member committee chaired by Barrister Obinna Uzor said only Hon. Mulikat Adeola Jimoh and Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji met all requirements to contest in the December 13 primary.
Among those affected by the disqualification are immediate past deputy governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), and Babatunde Haketer Oralusi.
The committee explained that its decision followed a petition filed by the Osun APC Renewal Group, which alleged that two aspirants fell short of mandatory nominator requirements under the APC Constitution and party guidelines.
Following a wider review, the panel said it applied the same scrutiny to all nine aspirants to ensure fairness and uniform enforcement of Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution as well as Paragraph 6(c) of the party’s guidelines.
According to the six-page report endorsed by all committee members, the two cleared aspirants fulfilled all conditions, including securing the required number of registered and financially up-to-date party members as nominators from each local government area.
However, the seven disqualified aspirants were found not to have secured sponsorship from at least five fully registered and financially up-to-date APC members across the local government areas, as stipulated by party rules.
Meanwhile, the party’s Screening Appeal Committee, chaired by Senator Tola Odebiyi, is expected to sit in Abuja on Saturday to hear complaints and appeals from the affected aspirants and other interested stakeholders.
