● Committee cites zoning as reason for disqualification
The All Progressives Congress Screening Committee has disqualified Rep. Wole Oke from contesting the party’s primary for Obokun-Oriade Federal Constituency, ending his 24-year tenure in the House of Representatives.
Party sources said the decision followed a zoning arrangement that reserves the ticket for Oriade Local Government Area rather than Obokun, Oke’s home base. A disqualification memo was leaked to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, though details of the committee session remained unclear.
Oke recently defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party and was named Director-General of the party’s campaign team for the Aug. 15, 2026 Osun governorship poll. The move drew jubilation among some APC members in Osun who said his time was up.
Despite the disqualification, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola publicly backed Oke, sparking protests within the party. Some APC chieftains argue that fielding Oke would hurt the party’s chances in 2027.
The Osun APC has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution Oyetola to preserve party cohesion ahead of the polls.
Bola Oyebamiji is among APC contenders expected to challenge Gov. Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party in the governorship race.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
