Panic is spreading through the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as loyalists of former National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore begin a mass exit, 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 “skewed APC structure and political manipulation” in the state.
–How the crisis started–
The trouble began after Omisore contested the APC governorship ticket against Mr. Bola Oyebamiji. Both he and six other aspirants 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 accommodate interests.
Feeling sidelined, Omisore’s group has started walking away. In the last one week, more than 7 prominent members resigned without stating reasons publicly.
— Big names that have left–
1. Oladoyin Bamisayemi – Former Commissioner for Education
2. Taiwo Akeju– Commissioner for Political Matters
3. Jamiu Olawumi– Special Adviser on Higher Education
4. Adeyeye Olajide– Former State Lawmaker
–APC fires back–
The defections have sparked backlash online from APC chieftains. Former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Funso Fagbohungbe, called Bamisayemi an “ingrate”.
“Having served as a two-term lawmaker under Aregbesola, and Commissioner for Education for 12 years under Oyetola, Bamisayemi lacks the moral right to accuse APC of enslaving members,” Fagbohungbe said.
“It is time we take them up for their lies… His origin is PDP, and now that he returns to his original party affiliation, he should not accuse our party wrongly.”
–Where are they headed?–
The defectors have not announced their next political home. But speculation is rife that some are heading to the Accord Party to back incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.
Reports indicate Jamiu Olawumi was sighted at Accord’s campaign media office alongside members of the governor’s committee, fueling talk that the Omisore bloc may work for Adeleke in 2027.
–What this means for Osun APC–
With the governorship election months away, the exit of Omisore’s faction removes key grassroots structures and political appointees from APC. If the group aligns with Accord/Adeleke, it could swing the race and deepen APC’s internal crisis in Osun — a state it lost to PDP in 2022.
