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Panic is spreading in the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as loyalists of former national secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, begin a mass walkout, threatening to fracture the party months before the governorship election.
Insiders say the exodus stems from Omisore’s growing frustration with what he calls a “distorted APC structure and political manipulation” in the state.
–How the crisis began–
Trouble started after Omisore contested the APC governorship against Bola Oyebamiji. Both he and six other hopefuls were later disqualified. His camp expected reconciliation moves to calm tensions. Instead, they claim the party hierarchy rejected their request for legislative tickets as part of a deal to satisfy interests.
Feeling left out, Omisore’s group began to drift away. Over the past week, more than 7 prominent members have resigned without giving any public reason.
— Big names who are gone —
1. Oladoyin Bamisayemi – Former Commissioner for Education
2. Taiwo Akeju – Commissioner for Political Affairs
3. Jamiu Olawumi – Special Adviser on Higher Education
4. Adeyeye Olajide– Former state legislator
–APC returns fire–
The defections sparked an online backlash from APC leaders. Former senior special assistant to the governor, Funso Fagbohungbe, called Bamisayemi “ungrateful”.
“After serving as MP for two terms under Aregbesola and Commissioner for Education for 12 years under Oyetola, Bamisayemi has no moral right to accuse the APC of enslaving members,” Fagbohungbe said.
“It is time we take them to task for their lies… His origin is the PDP, and now that he returns to his original party affiliation, he should not accuse our party unfairly.”
–Where are they headed?–
The defectors have not announced their next political location. But speculation is rife that some are turning to the Accord Party to support incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.
Reports indicate that Jamiu Olawumi was spotted in the Accord campaign press office alongside members of the governor’s committee, fueling rumors that the Omisore bloc could work for Adeleke in 2027.
–What does this mean for Osun APC–
Just months before the governorship election, the exit of the Omisore faction removes key grassroots structures and political appointees from the APC. If the group aligns with Accord/Adeleke, it could change the situation and aggravate the internal crisis of the APC in Osun, a state that lost to the PDP in 2022.
