Former Deputy Governor of Osun State and immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has officially joined the 2026 governorship race, becoming the first aspirant to obtain the party’s N50 million Nomination and Expression of Interest forms.
The development was confirmed on Thursday by the APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, who described Omisore’s move as the formal kickoff of what promises to be an intense battle for the party’s ticket.
“Yes, it is true. And you are right that he is the first to pick the forms,” Duru told The PUNCH.
Omisore stormed the APC national secretariat in Abuja with a jubilant crowd of supporters clad in customised attire. He said his decision to contest was motivated by a renewed commitment to serve and rebuild Osun State.
His entry adds fresh energy to Osun’s fast-rising political tempo as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also intensifies preparations for a fierce re-election faceoff.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term, has dismissed concerns over internal disagreements within the PDP, describing them as “a family affair.”
“We are cruising to victory next year, and we must remain committed to rebuilding this party for another landslide victory,” Adeleke said in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
The APC had earlier announced that its governorship primary ahead of the August 8, 2026 election will hold on December 13, 2025. According to the schedule released from the party’s national secretariat, the Nomination and Expression of Interest forms are priced at N50 million.
National Organising Secretary Sulaiman Argungu noted that only members whose names appear on the party register and who are up to date with their dues as of February 2025 will be eligible to vote and be voted for.
The sale of forms commenced on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, while completed forms and delegate lists must be submitted by December 1, 2025.
With the timetable active and Omisore’s declaration setting the stage, the race for the APC governorship ticket in Osun is already gaining momentum ahead of next year’s decisive primaries.
