The APC Screening appeals report reaches the NWC today as party leaders prepare key decisions on Osun primary disputes involving seven disqualified governorship aspirants.
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will today reconvene at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja to determine the fate of seven governorship aspirants whose political ambitions were halted in the initial APC Screening exercise conducted for the forthcoming Osun State primary election.
The gathering of the National Working Committee (NWC) marks a decisive moment in the build-up to Saturday’s highly anticipated primary, as the party seeks to resolve internal controversies and maintain cohesion ahead of the governorship contest.
The NWC meeting is expected to receive, deliberate upon, and potentially ratify the comprehensive report compiled by the Osun State Screening Appeal Committee, which had spent two intense days reviewing petitions submitted by the aspirants earlier disqualified.
With tensions brewing among party stakeholders in the state, many believe the NWC’s decision today will determine whether the APC enters the governorship race united or divided.
At the centre of the matter is the five-man Appeal Committee chaired by Senator Tolu Odebiyi, a respected figure within the party noted for his administrative and legislative experience.
The committee was saddled with the responsibility of revisiting the grievances raised by the seven disqualified contenders, each of whom insisted they met all regulatory criteria to run in the Osun primary.
For two days, the panel scrutinised documents, listened to verbal defences, and assessed evidence submitted by the aggrieved aspirants in what insiders described as a “highly detailed but calm review process.”
Those who challenged their disqualification represent some of the most recognisable names within Osun State’s political landscape.
Among them is Senator Iyiola Omisore, a former national secretary of the party and a seasoned politician with decades of experience.
Others include former deputy governor Benedict Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, legal luminary Kunle Adegoke (SAN), and Babatunde Oralusi.
Their petitions argue that they were unjustly screened out and deserve a fair opportunity to participate in the Osun primary.
Before the appeal process commenced, the Obinna Uzor-led Screening Committee had ruled that only two aspirants—Mulikat Jimoh and Asiwaju Munirudeen Oyebamiji—satisfied every requirement listed in the APC guidelines, Electoral Act, and party constitution.
Consequently, only these two were cleared to participate in Saturday’s primary, while the seven others were directed to the Appeal Committee as the final avenue to challenge the decision.
The Screening Committee maintained that its judgement was guided by strict adherence to regulations and the need to uphold the party’s integrity, emphasising that the appeal stage was the rightful platform for dissatisfied aspirants to seek redress.
A member of the Appeal Committee who spoke in confidence in Abuja explained that the committee’s work was thorough, inclusive, and devoid of hostility.
According to him, each aspirant appeared before the panel with documents, clarifications, and evidence to strengthen their case.
“We had productive engagements with all the affected individuals,” he said.
“It was a family-style interface. The process was peaceful, collaborative and strictly procedural. Each aspirant was given full opportunity to defend themselves.”
When asked about the timeline for forwarding the committee’s findings, the panel member confirmed that the report would be submitted through the office of the National Organising Secretary, who serves as the liaison between the Appeal Committee and the NWC.
He added that the NWC’s deliberations would shape the final outcome, especially since the party seeks to maintain balance, fairness, and credibility ahead of the general elections.
Today’s NWC session is expected to weigh the Appeal Committee’s findings against the need to maintain party stability.
With multiple influential aspirants involved, the committee’s verdict could either calm tensions or spark further agitation.
The APC Screening controversy has generated heated debates among party members in Osun, with some accusing the Screening Committee of sidelining strong contenders, while others insist the party must enforce strict adherence to guidelines to avoid legal troubles ahead of the general election.
Beyond the screening and appeal processes, the APC has outlined a detailed timetable for other party activities leading up to Saturday’s primary.
The delegate congress, which will determine the delegates empowered to vote in the primary election, is scheduled for Tuesday, followed by the delegate congress appeal sitting on Wednesday.
These back-to-back events underscore the hectic pace at which the party is working to ensure a transparent candidate selection process.
Party insiders say the NWC is under tremendous pressure to strike the right balance.
Some members believe reinstating the disqualified aspirants could restore internal unity, while others argue that doing so may weaken institutional discipline and undermine the credibility of the screening process.
The upcoming decision may therefore carry long-term implications for the party’s strength in Osun State and its readiness for the statewide contest.
As anticipation builds, political observers note that the APC Screening controversy is not unusual in a competitive political environment.
In many states, screening committees often face pushback from aspirants who believe they have been unfairly judged. What matters, analysts argue, is how the party resolves internal grievances and presents a united front after the decision.
With the Osun governorship race approaching rapidly, the APC’s ability to manage dissent and project stability will likely influence voter confidence and campaign momentum.
Ireport247news
