There was palpable excitement across Osun State on Tuesday as Senator Iyiola Omisore, former Deputy Governor and immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), formally picked his nomination form to contest the party’s 2026 governorship primaries.

Omisore, the first among thirteen aspirants to collect the form on the opening day of the exercise, reiterated his determination to secure the APC ticket for the December 13, 2025, gubernatorial primaries.

Speaking shortly after collecting the form, Omisore outlined his vision for Osun, promising mature governance, educational reforms, agricultural development, rural upliftment, structural adjustments, and equitable policies if elected governor.

The race for the APC ticket is shaping up to be highly competitive, with about 12 other aspirants already declaring their interest. Notable figures include Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority; Senator Babajide Omoworare, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business; Dotun Babayemi, legal practitioner and son of the former Olufi of Gbongan; Benedict Alabi, former Osun Deputy Governor; Akin Ogunbiyi, Chairman of Mutual Assurance Benefits; and Kunle Adegoke (SAN), senior legal practitioner.

Amid rising tension and social media disputes among supporters, the Osun APC State Working Committee has issued strict directives urging all aspirants and their followers to maintain party cohesion ahead of the primaries.