Three Osun Lawmakers Leave APC

Three leaders of the All Progressives Congress, who were once lawmakers in Osun State House of Assembly, have quit the party.

The lawmakers, Lekan Oyediran, Aleem Bakare, and Folorunso Oladoyin, sent their resignation letters to the local government chairmen of the party.

Their resignations took place between June 1 and June 2. Bakare, who cited lack of internal democracy as his reason for leaving, was the only one to give a reason. The other two did not explain their decisions in their letters.

Reports from The PUNCH show that Oyediran served as the representative for Odo Otin State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2003. Aleem Bakare represented Ejigbo State Constituency from 2003 to 2007.

Folorunso Oladoyin was the representative for Ife South State Constituency from 2011 to 2019. He also worked as the State Commissioner for Education under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola until the administration ended on November 26, 2022.

Bakare also held a position in Oyetola's government as Special Adviser on Land Matters.

All three ex-lawmakers are linked to the former National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore, who has distanced himself from the party since the governorship primary in December 2025.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, Jamiu Olawumi, who is the spokesperson for the Senator Iyiola Omisore Campaign Organisation, confirmed that the three former lawmakers were close to Omisore.

Olawumi stated that Omisore did not ask them to leave APC, suggesting that they made their choice based on their political future.

He rejected claims that Omisore might soon leave APC, saying, "The anxiety is unfounded and baseless. We support Iyiola Omisore for his governorship ambition. We went for him, we saw his capacity and capability, that is why we invited him to contest.

"If the outcome of the contest means our strongest defense line is removed, those who cannot handle the shock might leave the party and join the winning camp.

"But this does not mean Omisore is leaving the party. Omisore was not our breadwinner. We are political associates. Those who want to be mischievous say his men are leaving and that he will leave too.

"Those who left are also Oyetola's supporters. Bamisayemi (Oladoyin) was a Commissioner for Education under Oyetola. As Oyetola loses his cabinet member, Omisore is also losing supporters. These are inner members of Oyetola's group who are now leaving the party. It is not about Omisore but about their belief that the party hasn't met their needs and they cannot fulfill their dreams here."

In response, Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi said the party is not worried. He noted that those who left are simply exercising their right to choose.

Olabisi mentioned that Osun APC has welcomed more prominent figures, especially from the Peoples Democratic Party, than those who have left, urging members to stay focused and work hard for future elections.

He added, "In a democracy, there is free exit and entry into politics. People can exercise their right to choose at any time. We cannot hold it against anyone. If people are concerned about these three individuals, can you compare them to two senators, Fadahunsi and Ajagunla and three representatives who joined our party along with a trustee member of the PDP, Shuaib Oyedokun?

"What about Prince Dotun Babayemi, Kayode Oduoye, and many others? We are not panicking. They are just exercising their freedom of association. We cannot deny them."