APC NWC To Review Appeal Report On Disqualified Osun Governorship Aspirants
By Johnson Folarin
The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress will on Monday begin formal consideration of the appeal report submitted by the Osun State Screening Appeal Committee, which reviewed the cases of seven governorship aspirants earlier barred from taking part in the December 13 primary election.
The appeal panel headed by Senator Tolu Odebiyi is expected to forward its findings to the party’s top administrative organ at the national secretariat in Abuja after completing a two-day sitting with all affected aspirants.
During the review exercise, the disqualified aspirants including Senator Iyiola Omisore, former deputy governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), and Babatunde Haketer Oralusi appeared before the committee to defend their eligibility and seek reversal of the earlier verdict.
Earlier, the screening committee chaired by Barrister Obinna Uzor had certified only two aspirants — Hon. Mulikat Adeola Jimoh and Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as qualified for the December 13 exercise after confirming that they satisfied all party guidelines, constitutional provisions, and electoral regulations.
According to an appeal panel member who spoke privately in Abuja, all seven aspirants submitted documents and clarifications they believed would strengthen their appeals. He explained that the sessions were calm and orderly, with all parties engaging the panel constructively.
The report, after documentation, will be transmitted to the NWC through the Office of the National Organising Secretary. The committee’s conclusions will shape the final list of aspirants cleared to contest in the shadow poll.
The NWC’s decision is expected to determine whether the party heads into the primary with a larger field or maintains the earlier two-candidate lineup, a development that could heavily influence political alignments ahead of the Osun governorship race.
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