Fresh cracks have emerged within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the resignation of several prominent loyalists of former National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, raising concerns about the party’s unity ahead of the governorship election.
The development has triggered anxiety among party stakeholders, with insiders pointing to growing dissatisfaction within the Omisore camp over what members describe as marginalisation and exclusion from key political arrangements in the state.
Sources within the party disclosed that tensions escalated after Omisore’s unsuccessful bid for the APC governorship ticket. Although he was among seven aspirants disqualified from the race, his supporters reportedly expected meaningful reconciliation efforts and political accommodation from the party leadership.
However, the anticipated rapprochement failed to materialise, as requests by the Omisore group for consideration in the allocation of legislative tickets were allegedly rejected. The perceived snub has deepened frustrations among the faction’s members.
Within the past week, no fewer than seven influential figures associated with the Omisore camp have resigned from the APC. Among them are former Commissioner for Education, Oladoyin Bamisayemi; former Commissioner for Political Matters, Taiwo Akeju; Special Adviser on Higher Education, Jamiu Olawumi; and former lawmaker, Adeyeye Olajide.
Their departure has sparked intense debate within political circles and across social media platforms, with party loyalists expressing mixed reactions over the unfolding crisis.
Reacting to the defections, former Senior Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor, Funso Fagbohungbe, criticised Bamisayemi’s decision to leave the APC, dismissing allegations that party members were subjected to political servitude.
Fagbohungbe argued that Bamisayemi had benefited significantly from the APC, having served as a two-term member of the State House of Assembly and later as Commissioner for Education under successive APC administrations.
According to him, it was unfair for the former commissioner to accuse the party of mistreating its members after occupying key positions for several years.
While the defectors have yet to formally announce their next political destination, speculation continues to grow that some may be aligning with the Accord Party and supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.
Fueling the speculation, Jamiu Olawumi was reportedly seen at the campaign media office of the Accord Party alongside members of its campaign team, a move many observers interpret as a sign of an emerging political realignment.
Political analysts warn that if the APC fails to quickly address the grievances of aggrieved stakeholders, the growing defections could weaken the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects as the race for Osun’s top seat gathers momentum.