Osun 2026: Omisore Reaffirms APC Membership, Dismisses Defection Rumours
Former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has dismissed rumours speculating that he has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he remains a loyal member of the party.
Some of his supporters, including his running mate in the 2018 governorship election, Yemi Lawal, recently defected to the ruling Accord Party and pledged their allegiance to the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Omisore made the clarification on Tuesday after attending the statutory monthly meeting of the APC Elders’ Caucus, Igbimo Agba Osun, held in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
The former APC National Secretary described the defection rumours as products of social media speculation and misinterpretation of events, urging the public to disregard the reports.
Omisore, who spoke through the Director-General of the Senator Iyiola Omisore Campaign Group, Hon. Israel Famurewa, insisted that he remained a member of the APC and would continue to work for the overall interest of the party.
“I think seeing is believing. Senator Omisore is here at the meeting, and that is enough to debunk the rumour that he has left the party. We all know him. If he actually wanted to leave the party, he would address a formal press conference. What is flying all over social media is just a rumour.
“Nobody can say this is where Senator Iyiola sat down with him and told him that he had left the party. It is just an insinuation that people are spreading. You can see him here today, and we are planning together on how to win the next election. So, as far as I’m concerned, Iyiola Omisore is a bona fide member of the APC and of Igbimo Agba Osun.”
On whether Senator Omisore was instrumental in the defection of some of his supporters to the Accord Party, Famurewa described their decision as a personal one, stressing that the former deputy governor did not direct anyone to leave the APC.
“I happen to be the Director-General of his campaign group. All of us joined the party as individuals, not as a group. People have individual choices. Some may decide to leave based on their personal decisions. Political parties operate on the principle of free entry and free exit, so some of them may have their own personal grievances.
“Senator Omisore did not give any instruction. If he wanted to do so, he would pass the instruction through me to other members. That is the way we operate.”
He, however, urged the people of the state to come out en masse on election day and exercise their civic responsibility without fear of intimidation or harassment.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Igbimo Agba Osun, Engr. Sola Akinkunmi, explained that the meeting was the caucus’ statutory gathering to strategise ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
“Omisore and other members of Igbimo Agba Osun are here. As you all know, the governorship election is around the corner, and we need to meet regularly,” he said.
Expressing optimism that the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, would emerge victorious, Akinkunmi urged residents of the state to come out en masse and vote for the APC.
