APC Reconciliation Deal Collapses Ahead of Osun Guber Poll

A power-sharing arrangement initiated by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State as part of efforts to unite aggrieved factions ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election has reportedly collapsed amid fresh internal crisis.

The reconciliation move was designed to heal divisions that followed the controversial emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the party’s governorship candidate, especially after the disqualification of former deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, from the primary process.

Findings revealed that the APC leadership under Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, initially sidelined Omisore’s loyalists from key party activities and campaign preparations, deepening grievances within the fold.

Sources within the party disclosed that Omisore and his supporters were excluded from the constitution of the Oyebamiji campaign structure, despite the former deputy governor’s perceived political influence, particularly in Ife axis of Osun East Senatorial District.

Oyetola was also said to have remained bitter over his defeat in the 2022 governorship election to incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, allegedly blaming Omisore for the APC’s poor electoral performance in Ife land.

However, amid fears of another electoral setback, Oyetola reportedly sought the intervention of former Osun governor and APC elder statesman, Chief Bisi Akande, leading to a reconciliatory meeting held in Abuja between the trio.

Though the meeting reportedly produced a temporary truce and a proposed sharing formula for National Assembly and House of Assembly tickets across the three senatorial districts, the arrangement later ran into fresh controversy.

Under the alleged agreement, Omisore was expected to coordinate the nomination process in Osun East, while Oyetola and Akande would oversee Osun Central. Osun West was to be jointly managed by the three leaders through Oyebamiji.

Trouble reportedly began when members of the G5 bloc — recent defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — allegedly resisted the Osun East arrangement. The group, which includes serving federal lawmakers from the zone, was accused of working against Omisore’s influence in the district.

Party insiders further alleged that the crisis worsened after some members of the G5 independently obtained nomination forms contrary to the consensus arrangement reached in Abuja.

The situation eventually triggered the collapse of the reconciliation deal, forcing the suspension of further meetings aimed at harmonising interests within the party.

Sources claimed that the breakdown of the arrangement has reopened old divisions within the APC and may complicate the party’s preparations ahead of the governorship election.

One of the PDP defectors and longtime federal lawmaker, Wole Oke, has since emerged as the Director-General of the Oyebamiji campaign organisation.