Fresh concerns have emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State as the leadership disclosed that Governor Ademola Adeleke may opt out of seeking the party’s ticket for the 2026 governorship election.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Monday, the state chairman, Sunday Bisi, said the lingering crises at the national level have stalled key processes required for a valid primary, raising doubts about Adeleke’s continued interest unless a resolution acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission is achieved within the commission’s deadline.
Bisi explained that the internal disputes have already disrupted the PDP’s earlier plan to hold its governorship primary on December 2, noting that the breakdown in national leadership made the exercise impossible to conduct.
He stated that Governor Adeleke had complied fully with all guidelines issued for aspirants, including the purchase and submission of expression of interest and nomination forms between October 13 and 25, 2025, in line with the party’s timetable.
Bisi added that Adeleke also appeared before the screening committee on October 30, where he was cleared without any objection and issued the Certificate of Clearance in accordance with party rules.
Trouble, however, escalated shortly after the screening stage, as the chairman pointed to the suspension and counter-suspension of key national officers responsible for conducting congresses, organising primaries and transmitting candidate names to INEC.
He said the infighting led to the collapse of the ward and local government ad-hoc congresses scheduled for November 24 and 29, the very exercises meant to elect delegates for the governorship primary. Many of the disputes, he noted, are now subjects of litigation in courts across the country.
Bisi announced that, given the circumstances, the party’s December 2 primary can no longer hold, stressing that the mounting uncertainty has contributed to Adeleke’s reconsideration of his ambition.
According to him, “the information at my disposal is that Governor Ademola Adeleke may no longer be interested in seeking the nomination of the PDP for the 2026 Osun Gubernatorial Election, except a resolution recognised by INEC is reached within the timeline provided by the commission.”
The crisis within the PDP has split the party into factions as the 2026 governorship race approaches. INEC’s timetable for the August 8 Osun election stipulates that political parties must submit names of their candidates by December 15.
