Former Deputy Governor of Osun State and immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has officially emerged as the first governorship aspirant to purchase the APC’s ₦50 million Nomination and Expression of Interest forms ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun.
The APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, confirmed the development to newsmen on Thursday evening.
“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.
Naija News learnt that Omisore arrived at the APC national secretariat in Abuja with a large crowd of jubilant supporters dressed in customised outfits.
Speaking after collecting his forms, he said his decision to run was driven by service and a commitment to rebuild Osun State.
“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,” he declared.
His entry into the race officially signals the beginning of what is expected to be a highly competitive battle for the APC ticket.
Omisore’s move comes as political activities intensify across Osun, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party also preparing for a major re-election fight.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term, has dismissed concerns about internal disagreements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing them as “a family affair.”
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said, “We are cruising to victory next year and we must remain committed to ensuring that we rebuild this party for renewed landslide victory.”
Three months earlier, the APC had announced December 13, 2025, as the date for its governorship primary ahead of the August 8, 2026, Osun election.
In the schedule of activities released from the national secretariat, the party pegged the cost of the Nomination and Expression of Interest forms at ₦50 million.
The National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, in a statement issued in August, said only members whose names are on the party register and who are up to date with membership dues up to February 2025 will be eligible to vote or contest.
The sale of forms commenced on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, while completed forms and delegate lists are expected to be submitted by December 1, 2025.
With Omisore emerging as the first aspirant to formally join the contest, the race for the Osun APC governorship ticket is already gathering steam ahead of next year’s primaries.
More contenders are expected to join in the coming weeks as the party prepares for what could become one of the most heated governorship contests in Osun’s recent political history.
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