* Submits APC gubernatorial nomination form
By Chesa Chesa
Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Iyiola Ishola Omisore, on Monday formally declared his intention to contest the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, saying the state needs “serious governance, not dancing.”
Speaking at the APC national secretariat in Abuja shortly after submitting his nomination and expression-of-interest forms, Omisore said his political pedigree and long-standing relationship within the party place him ahead of other aspirants.
Omisore argued that no aspirant in the race matches his experience, declaring that “my pocket, pedigree, journey so far speak volumes. In honesty and fairness, to find an aspirant that can beat my credentials again is difficult”.
The former deputy governor launched a direct attack on Governor Ademola Adeleke, widely known for his dancing videos, saying that “my state is being headed by a dancing governor. Any governor that is dancing will not appreciate the tenets of leadership and governance. Governance is more a serious business than dancing. Can any serious person be dancing without drum or songs? It shows the littleness and the evil in mind,”.
He argued that Osun, a state he described as having “the highest number of intellectuals in the country,” deserves better leadership.
Asked whether he would feel betrayed if the APC opts for a consensus candidate, Omisore said the process must align strictly with party rules and the Electoral Act.
“As of today we have nine aspirants. Whatever is going to be done must be in accordance with the electoral process. Whoever emerges becomes the party’s candidate,” he said.
Responding to questions about his repeated bids for the governorship and whether, two decades after leaving the office of deputy governor, he still has the capacity to lead, Omisore said age and experience work in his favour.
“I was deputy governor over 20 years ago. Each time I contest, I come with new vigour and vision. Experience cannot be bought. The older the wine, the sweeter the wine. Osun is lucky at this time to have me to help them out of the doldrums,” he said.
Omisore rejected rumours that he supports zoning the APC ticket to Osun West or that he is still aggrieved over past party disputes.
He explained that since Osun was created in 1991, the governorship has rotated across all three zones, and warned that political “shenanigans” around zoning would not serve the state’s interest.
