Former Deputy Governor of Osun State and immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has become the first governorship aspirant to pick the APC’s N50m Nomination and Expression of Interest forms ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.
The development, confirmed in a phone chat with The PUNCH on Thursday by the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, marks the formal start of what is expected to be a fierce contest for the ruling party’s ticket.
“Yes, it is true. And you are also right about the observation that he was the first governorship aspirant to pick the nomination and expression of interest forms,” Duru told The PUNCH.
Omisore, who arrived at the APC national secretariat in Abuja with a crowd of jubilant supporters dressed in customised attire, said his decision to join the race was inspired by service and a commitment to rebuild Osun.
“This is not about ambition; it is about responsibility — a responsibility to rebuild our state, restore trust in leadership, and chart a new direction for a prosperous Osun,” the former deputy governor said after collecting his forms.
Party insiders say Omisore’s early entry into the race could give him an advantage over the 13 other aspirants expected to join the contest.
Known for his deep political roots and grassroots network, the former lawmaker is widely seen as one of the major contenders for the APC ticket when the party’s primary holds on December 13, 2025.
The move comes amid renewed political mobilisation in Osun, where the ruling Peoples Democratic Party is also gearing up for a fierce re-election battle.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term, recently dismissed fears that internal rifts within the PDP could affect his chances, insisting he remains “cruising to victory.”
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described the PDP’s internal disagreements as “a family affair” and urged party loyalists to remain steadfast.
“We are cruising to victory next year, and we must remain committed to ensuring that we rebuild this party for renewed landslide victory,” the governor said.
Three months ago, the APC announced that its governorship primary for the August 8, 2026, Osun election would hold on December 13, 2025.
In its official schedule of activities released from the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the APC pegged the cost of the Nomination and Expression of Interest forms at N50 million.
The National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, disclosed this in a statement in August.
“Members whose names appear on the Register and are up to date in paying their membership dues over the past year up to February 2025 will be eligible to vote and be voted for,” the statement read.
The party said the sale of forms began on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, while completed forms and delegate lists are expected to be submitted by December 1, 2025.
With the timetable now in place and Omisore’s declaration setting the tone, the battle for the Osun APC governorship ticket is already gathering momentum ahead of next year’s primaries.
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