• Party rakes in N450m from sales of nomination forms

Ahead of the December 13, 2025, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, former National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and eight other aspirants have entered the race for the party’s ticket for the August 8, 2026, Osun State Governorship Election.

At the close of sales of nomination and expression of interest forms on Thursday night, nine aspirants, eight men and one woman had obtained the forms.

Those in the race include former deputy governor Senator Iyiola Omisore; development financier Babatunde Hareter Oralusi; former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; former PDP chieftain, Bar. Oyedotun Babayemi, and the immediate past deputy governor, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi.

Others are business magnate and insurance expert Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi; Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle; the only female aspirant and former Osun lawmaker Dr. Mulikat Abiola Jimoh; and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator Babajide Omoworare.

According to the timetable released by the APC National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Arugungu, aspirants must submit their completed forms and required documents by Monday, December 1, 2025.

Screening will be conducted in Abuja on December 3 and 4, while the results would be published on December 5, followed by a screening appeal on December 6.

The primary election will hold on December 13.

The Nation gathered that party leaders and key stakeholders are scheduled to meet on Saturday to discuss the possibility of adopting a consensus candidate ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.

However, a party chieftain, who spoke in confidence, criticised the move, saying the meeting was coming too late.

“What happened to the previous meetings? The aspirants were never informed of the outcome. The leaders allowed aspirants to purchase forms, and now they are trying to push for consensus. If we truly want to reclaim the state, the party should allow a primary election. Whoever wins should be supported by others,” he said.

Meanwhile, the APC has realised N450 million from the sale of forms to the nine aspirants.

Eight male aspirants paid N50 million each, while the only female aspirant paid N10 million for the expression of interest form, in line with the party’s free nomination policy for women and youths under 40. (The Nation)