A major political crisis is brewing within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as seven of its governorship aspirants have jointly raised serious allegations of fraud and irregularities in the party's screening process.
A Joint Protest Against Disqualification
The aspirants, operating under the banner of the Osun State Integrity Support Group, issued a strong statement on Saturday, December 6, 2025. They objected to their disqualification from the party's primary election for the August 2026 governorship poll. A key grievance is the manner in which they were informed of their fate. The aspirants stated they were not officially notified but instead discovered their disqualification through publications on the APC's national website and in various newspapers. They labeled this action as "unscrupulous."
Allegations of Imposition and Committee Fraud
The group's statement points a direct finger at the Minister of Blue and Marine Economy, Alhaji Isiaka Oyetola, accusing certain elements in the party's National Working Committee of acting under his influence. The alleged goal is to impose Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as the party's candidate.
They further claimed that Oyebanji violated constitutional and electoral provisions by not resigning from his position at NIWA before purchasing his nomination form. The controversy deepens with allegations against the screening committee, chaired by Chief Obinna Uzor. The aspirants alleged that Uzor falsified the signatures of other committee members to produce a minority report that disqualified them.
According to the statement, the committee was divided, with its secretary, Ambassador Usman Bayara, and four other members refusing to endorse what they termed "an act of illegality."
Appeal Panel Secrecy and Call for Presidential Intervention
The aspirants also criticized the Appeal Panel established to review their disqualification, noting that its venue had not been disclosed and no formal invitation letters were issued to them. They interpreted this secrecy as a deliberate attempt to prevent them from defending their candidacies.
The statement warned against the misuse of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's name to lend credibility to the process, describing such behavior as criminal and amounting to impersonation. In a direct plea, the aspirants appealed to President Tinubu, as the leader of the APC, to intervene.
"We appeal to His Excellency... to intervene in the ongoing situation by issuing a presidential proclamation and directing all parties to do what is proper, transparent, honest and anchored on equity," the statement read. They also urged the President to bar Oyebanji from the contest due to the alleged violations.
The statement was formally signed by Dr. Gbenga Adekunle, the Convener of the Osun State APC Integrity Support Group, on behalf of the seven aggrieved aspirants. This development threatens to cause significant internal discord within the party in Osun State ahead of the crucial 2026 election.
