Oyetola not Involved in Osun APC screening, aide insists

Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Special Adviser on Media, to Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has rejected claims that the Minister interfered in the APC screening for the Osun governorship primary.

Akinola said in a statement on Sunday that the allegations circulated by some aspirants were “baseless, misleading and totally false”.

He stressed that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy played no role, direct or indirect, in decisions taken by the Screening Committee or the Screening Appeal Panel.

According to him, Oyetola did not, and could not have meddled in the screening exercise or in the affairs of the screening bodies.

He added that both panels were “independent party organs empowered by the APC Constitution to carry out their duties without interference”.

Akinola said any suggestion of undue influence was “wrong, unfair and completely unfounded”.

He noted that Oyetola had consistently upheld fairness, transparency and strict respect for party rules throughout his political career.

Akinola said: “As former Governor of Osun and a respected APC leader, Oyetola remains committed to internal democracy.”

He added that the Minister “will never interfere in a process where he has no statutory role”.

He urged aggrieved aspirants to follow the party’s established channels for complaints and dispute resolution.

Akinola reaffirmed the Minister’s commitment to unity, discipline and the greater interest of the APC in Osun.

He appealed to all stakeholders to prioritise the party’s progress and the broader welfare of Osun residents.

Our correspondent reports that the APC Screening Committee on Friday disqualified Sen. Iyiola Omisore and six other aspirants.

The panel said it found gaps and irregularities in their nomination documents ahead of the Dec. 13 primary.