Despite publicly announcing his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, still appeared on the ballot as the party commenced its governorship primary election on Tuesday in Osogbo.
At about 11:35 a.m., after the accreditation of the 957 accredited delegates, the Secretary of the Primary Election Committee, Sunday Solarin, declared voting open. Solarin confirmed that only two names which is Ademola Adeleke and Adebayo Adedamola were on the ballot.
He stressed, however, that Adeleke had already withdrawn from the PDP, cautioning delegates that any votes cast for the governor would be invalid.
“His resignation means votes cast for him will amount to waste,” Solarin explained, urging delegates to comply strictly with instructions.
The primary held under tight security, with operatives of the DSS, Nigeria Police, and NSCDC stationed around the venue’s entrance and exit points.
Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with a PDP national committee led by Humphrey Abba, were also present to oversee the process.
Proceedings formally began at 11:07 a.m., with delegates checking their names before heading to vote.
However, the exercise was overshadowed by confusion within the party. A factional National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, had earlier insisted the primary would hold, while another faction’s organising secretary, Umar Bature, announced a postponement deepening uncertainty among party loyalists.
Earlier on Tuesday, the governor’s resignation letter from the PDP surfaced. Addressed to the Ward 2 Chairman of Ede North Local Government, Sagba Abogunde, and dated December 4, 2025, Adeleke cited the crisis rocking the party’s national leadership as the reason for his exit.
Part of the letter reads, “Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, I hereby resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.
I thank the party for the opportunities given to me to serve as Senator for Osun West and as Governor of Osun State.”
His spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed the resignation.
As of the time of this report, voting is still ongoing, and party members await the outcome of a primary already marked by drama and deepening internal division.
Advertisement