Tension in Osun APC as Omisore Loyalists Dump Party

Fresh concerns have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State following the resignation of several loyalists of the party’s former National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The development comes months ahead of the state governorship election and follows lingering discontent within Omisore’s political camp after the APC governorship primary.

 

Omisore had sought the party’s governorship ticket alongside Bola Oyebamiji but was among seven aspirants disqualified from the contest.

 

Efforts to reconcile aggrieved members have reportedly yielded little progress, with sources indicating that demands by the Omisore group for legislative tickets were not approved by the party leadership.

 

Within the past week, at least five prominent members associated with the former national scribe have resigned from the APC.

 

Among those who have left the party are former Commissioner for Education, Oladoyin Bamisayemi; Commissioner for Political Matters, Taiwo Akeju; Special Adviser on Higher Education, Jamiu Olawumi; and former state lawmaker, Adeyeye Olajide.

 

None of the defectors publicly stated reasons for their resignation.

 

The resignations have sparked reactions among APC members, with some party loyalists criticising the move and questioning the timing, given the proximity of the governorship election.

 

One party member, Funso Fagbohungbe, described Bamisayemi’s resignation as disappointing, rejecting claims that APC had treated members unfairly.

 

According to him, Bamisayemi had benefited significantly from the party, having served as a two-term lawmaker and later as Commissioner for Education.

 

“It is time we take them up for their lies. Bamisayemi served as a two-term lawmaker under Aregbesola, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola appointed him Commissioner for Education, yet he accused the party of enslaving members,” Fagbohungbe said.

 

While the defectors have yet to formally announce their next political destination, speculation has intensified after Olawumi was reportedly seen at the Accord Party campaign media office alongside members of the campaign team.

 

The development has fuelled suggestions that some members of the Omisore camp may be aligning with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid ahead of the Osun governorship election.

 

Neither Omisore nor the APC leadership in the state had officially commented on the latest resignations as of the time of filing this report.