Iyiola Omisore, a leading governorship aspirant on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform in Osun State, launched a blistering attack on incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke this week, declaring that the sitting governor would not even qualify to serve as a commissioner in his prospective administration.
Omisore made the remark on the sidelines of his formal submission of interest and nomination forms at the APC national headquarters in Abuja. The former deputy governor described his opponent as a “dancing governor” whose emphasis on spectacle over substance reflected a lack of serious governance credentials. “Governance is a serious business,” Omisore told reporters. “Any governor who turns governance into entertainment is not appreciating the weight of leadership.”
The veteran politician — who stressed his depth of experience, financial capacity and governance pedigree — positioned his campaign as an antidote to what he called drift and poor stewardship in the state. He said his administration would prioritise pragmatic fiscal management over aggressive, revenue-strangling taxation and would restore respect for traditional kingmaking processes by ensuring communities select their rulers without government imposition.
On zoning and alleged stakeholder preferences, Omisore rejected the notion that his candidacy violates an established rotation practice. “Osun has never been governed on the basis of zoning,” he said, dismissing the argument as a “lazy political narrative” used to stifle competition.
Omisore also insisted that he remained unaffiliated to any godfather, saying: “I belong to no faction except the camp of God and the Nigerian people.” He promised to tackle revenue generation through prudence rather than harsh taxes, asserting that effective governance requires wise management of resources rather than relentless revenue drives that burden citizens.
The campaign remarks have stoked intense debate within APC circles in Osun. Some welcome Omisore’s bluntness and experience; others worry at the prospect of a divisive primary in a state where party unity will be critical to wrest power from the PDP in 2026. With nine declared aspirants and no consensus on the table, Omisore’s challenge signals a competitive contest in which experience, money and grassroots reach will determine the eventual nominee.