Osun 2026: Omisore Reaffirms APC Membership, Dismisses Defection Rumours

By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo

Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has reaffirmed that he remains a loyal member of the party, dismissing reports suggesting he had defected.

The clarification comes amid speculation following the recent defection of some of his supporters, including his running mate in the 2018 governorship election, Hon. Yemi Lawal, to the Accord Party, where they pledged support for the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Omisore made his position known on Tuesday after attending the statutory monthly meeting of the APC Elders Caucus, popularly known as Igbimo Agba Osun, held in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area.

Speaking through the Director-General of the Senator Iyiola Omisore Campaign Group, Hon. Israel Famurewa, the former APC National Secretary described the reports of his defection as baseless social media speculation and urged the public to disregard them.

“I think seeing is believing. Senator Omisore is here at the meeting, and that alone is enough to debunk the rumour that he has left the APC. If Senator Omisore intended to leave the party, he would address a formal press conference. What is circulating on social media is nothing more than speculation,” Famurewa said.

He added that no one could credibly claim that Omisore had informed them of any decision to quit the APC.

“We are here together discussing strategies for the next election. As far as I am concerned, Senator Iyiola Omisore remains a bona fide member of the APC and a committed member of Igbimo Agba Osun,” he stated.

Reacting to claims that Omisore orchestrated the defection of some of his loyalists to the Accord Party, Famurewa said those who left did so in their personal capacities.

He explained that members of the campaign group joined the APC as individuals and were free to make their own political decisions.

“Political parties operate on the principle of freedom of association. Some members may have personal grievances and decide to leave, but Senator Omisore did not instruct anyone to defect. If he had any directive, it would have been communicated through me as the Director-General of his campaign organisation,” he said.

Famurewa also urged eligible voters across Osun State to participate actively in the forthcoming governorship election by coming out en masse to cast their votes without fear of intimidation or harassment.

Earlier, the Chairman of APC Igbimo Agba Osun, Engr. Sola Akinkunmi, said the meeting was part of the caucus’ regular consultations ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

According to him, the gathering was convened to review the party’s preparations and fine-tune strategies for the poll.

He expressed confidence that the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, would emerge victorious and called on residents of the state to support the party by voting massively for its candidate on election day.