The elders’ caucus of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State on Friday advised governorship aspirants on the party platform to exercise patience in obtaining the prescribed forms for the 2026 election.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the group, Mr. Sola Akinwumi, the caucus said: “The above body received the report of its Adhoc Committee on the 2026 Osun Guber Election today, the 14th day of November 2025, and resolved as follows: The body put a Screening Committee in place and charged the committee to expeditiously screen all Guber Aspirants for the 2026 Governorship election within a time frame.
“All the Aspirants were urged to exercise patience in obtaining the prescribed Forms by the Party until the Screening Committee submits its Report to this body. All Party stakeholders are enjoined to continue to remain steadfast with the Party.”
The APC in Osun State has scheduled its governorship primary for December 13, 2025, ahead of the August 8, 2026 poll.
Our correspondent reports that about 13 aspirants have declared their interest and are reportedly seeking the party’s ticket, including: Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority; Senator Iyiola Omisore, ex-Deputy Governor of Osun State; Senator Babajide Omoworare, ex-Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business; Mr. Dotun Babayemi; Benedict Alabi, immediate past Deputy Governor.
Others include: Akin Ogunbiyi, Chairman, Mutual Assurance Benefits; Dr. Peter Babalola, ex-Chief of Staff to the Governor, and Kunle Adegoke (SAN), legal practitioner.
The PUNCH reports that incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke has been screened by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to contest in the poll.
Meanwhile, Senator Iyiola Omisore became the first APC aspirant to pick the party’s N50 million nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2026 election.
Confirming the development in a phone interview, the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, said: “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.”
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 motivated by service.
“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.
