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OPINION: Used, Sidelined, Discarded: The Political Ordeal of Senator Iyiola Omisore
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Used, Sidelined, Discarded: The Political Ordeal of Senator Iyiola Omisore
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Senator Iyiola Omisore remains one of the most experienced politicians to emerge from Osun State since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.
Having served in both the executive and legislative arms of government, his political journey reflects years of loyalty, sacrifice, resilience, and repeated political setbacks.
From the beginning of the Fourth Republic, Omisore played an active role in the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was regarded as one of the most financially strong and influential aspirants within the party in the South-West.
He had hoped to become governor of Osun State in 1999, but party leaders reportedly considered him too young for the position and persuaded him to step aside for an older candidate.
As a compromise, he was offered the position of Deputy Governor under Chief Bisi Akande.
During his time in office, Omisore was known for taking independent decisions, especially on issues affecting workers’ welfare.
While Governor Akande was away on vacation, he reportedly approved payments of outstanding entitlements owed to civil servants. That decision later created political tension within the administration and eventually strained the relationship between both leaders.
The crisis later resulted in his impeachment and replacement by another Ife indigene, Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin.
Shortly after leaving office, Omisore faced allegations linked to the murder of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, and was detained. Despite the controversy surrounding the case, he remained politically relevant in Osun State.
In 2003, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gave him its senatorial ticket for Osun East, which he won convincingly. He was re-elected in 2007, further strengthening his political influence and grassroots appeal.
Ahead of the 2011 governorship election, Omisore was widely seen as one of the strongest governorship hopefuls within the PDP. However, the prolonged legal battle between former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola changed the political atmosphere in the state after the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on November 26, 2010.
Despite the PDP losing control of the state, the party still rewarded Omisore with another senatorial ticket in 2011, making it the third consecutive time he contested for the Senate.
He, however, lost the election to Senator Babajide Omoworare.
In 2014, the PDP handed him its governorship ticket.
But internal disagreements and divisions within the party weakened the campaign. Some party leaders were accused of creating crises that pushed away important stakeholders, including the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who was considered one of the strongest pillars of the party in Osun State at the time.
Following the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke in 2017, Omisore again played a major role in mobilising political support for Senator Ademola Adeleke during the Osun West senatorial bye-election, helping the PDP secure victory.
Despite his contributions and years of loyalty to the PDP, Omisore’s governorship ambition continued to face challenges within the party, under the chairmanships Late Olusoji Adagunodo.The emergence of new aspirant Akinade Ogunbiyi ,eventually forced him out of the PDP, leading to his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Under the SDP, Omisore contested the 2018 governorship election and finished third in the first ballot.
When the election was declared inconclusive, both the PDP and the APC sought his support ahead of the rerun election.
He eventually aligned with the APC, a decision many political observers believed contributed greatly to the victory of Gboyega Oyetola in the rerun.
Before the 2022 governorship election, Omisore formally joined the APC and later emerged as the party’s National Secretary.
He was also actively involved in the political negotiations that produced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the APC presidential candidate.
However, despite his contributions to the party, he was later removed as National Secretary following internal party arrangements.
His eventual disqualification from the APC governorship primary in Osun State also generated controversy. Reports claimed he was screened out over issues relating to the completion of his nomination forms.
Many of his supporters questioned the reason given for the disqualification, arguing that Omisore had successfully completed governorship nomination processes on different occasions and across different political parties.
In 2014, he contested as the PDP governorship candidate after successfully completing the party’s nomination requirements. Again in 2018, he contested under the SDP after fulfilling the same procedures.
To many political observers, the claim that such an experienced politician could suddenly be disqualified over nomination form issues appeared difficult to accept.
Several party loyalists alleged that forces loyal to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola were determined to stop Omisore from contesting against a preferred candidate within the APC.
The situation became more noticeable during the recent APC National and State Assembly primary elections in Osun State, where many aspirants believed to be loyal to Omisore were reportedly sidelined.
Political observers alleged that former Governor Oyetola played a major role in determining the emergence of candidates across the state, leaving little room for aspirants associated with Omisore’s political structure.
Ironically, the same PDP that later became uncomfortable for Omisore had earlier offered him three consecutive senatorial tickets and one governorship ticket, opportunities many of his supporters considered a recognition of his political value and influence.
To many of his loyalists, the PDP at different times gave Omisore political relevance and honour when the AD and later the APC appeared unwilling to fully accommodate his ambition.
Today, many politicians who once belonged to the old PDP structure in Osun State are now part of the Accord political movement working for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Against this background, some political stakeholders believe Omisore should retrace his political steps and move closer to individuals and political forces that once valued, respected, and honoured him.
As political activities ahead of 2026 continue to gather momentum, Omisore’s political journey raises important questions about loyalty, political reward, and fairness within Nigeria’s political system.
After years of sacrifice, shifting alliances, and repeated political disappointments, many believe the veteran politician may need to reconsider his political direction and align himself with those who genuinely appreciate his contributions and experience in Osun politics.
Without doubt, Senator Iyiola Omisore remains a significant political figure whose experience and grassroots influence can still play an important role in the future development of Osun State.
Waliu Adeola Adetokun, Writing from Ede, Osun State
