Governor Ademola Adeleke has reportedly withdrawn from seeking a second-term ticket under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State.
The disclosure was made by the state party chairman, Sunday Bisi, during a press briefing in Osogbo on Monday.
Bisi announced that the PDP governorship primary scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025, has been called off.
He explained that although Governor Adeleke remained the only aspirant who bought, submitted, and passed the party’s screening, the ongoing internal crisis within the party made holding the primary impossible.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines for conducting valid primaries require the proper election of delegates—processes which were disrupted after the party failed to hold its ad-hoc ward and local government congresses slated for November 24 and 29.
“These congresses are where primary delegates are chosen,” he emphasized.
He added:
“In view of these challenges, it is now unavoidable that the PDP governorship primary slated for December 2 cannot go ahead. While Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the sole screened aspirant, the internal crisis affecting the party’s national leadership has created uncertainty. From information available, the governor may no longer be interested in seeking the PDP ticket for the 2026 Osun governorship election unless INEC recognizes a valid resolution within the required timeline.”
Bisi further stated that although the conduct of primaries is the responsibility of the PDP national leadership, the state chapter must keep its members and the public informed, noting that transparency is a core value of the party.
The PDP is currently divided into two rival factions. One is loyal to the newly elected National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, backed by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed. This faction held a convention in Ibadan, claiming control of the party and announcing key leadership changes—an event Adeleke did not attend, raising questions about his standing within the party.
The opposing faction is aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Anyanwu insists he remains the legitimate National Secretary and rejected the Turaki faction’s attempts to remove him. The dispute escalated on November 18 when both groups clashed at the PDP national secretariat, forcing security operatives to deploy teargas.
Meanwhile, the Wike-led bloc has taken INEC and the Nigeria Police to court, seeking to stop official recognition of the Ibadan convention.
Do you think Governor Adeleke will run in 2026 under another political party, or will the PDP resolve its leadership crisis before the election? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
