The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in Osun State has revealed that Governor Ademola Adeleke may no longer be interested in contesting for the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2026 election.
The state chairman of the party, Sunday Bisi, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists in Osogbo. He said the deepening internal crisis within the PDP, especially at the national level, has made it impossible for the party to conduct its governorship primary originally scheduled for December 2.
Bisi explained that Governor Adeleke had followed all the party’s guidelines for nomination. According to him, Adeleke purchased and submitted the expression of interest and nomination forms within the approved timeline of October 13–25 and also appeared before the party’s screening committee on October 30, where he was cleared without issues.
However, trouble began shortly after the screening. The suspension and counter-suspension of key national officers, this including individuals crucial to organising congresses, primaries and forwarding candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) created confusion and stalled key processes.
The party chairman noted that the statutory ward and local government congresses scheduled for November 24 and 29 could not hold due to the crisis. These congresses are essential because they produce the delegates who participate in the primaries.
“What we are witnessing is an internal crisis that has escalated to the point where crucial activities have been halted and several issues are now before different courts,” Bisi said.
He added that, given the uncertainty, Governor Adeleke may step back from seeking the PDP nomination unless the party resolves its crisis in a manner recognised by INEC and within the commission’s strict timelines.
The ongoing crisis has split the PDP into rival factions at the national level. According to INEC’s timetable for the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship election, political parties have until December 15 to submit the names of their candidates.
Advertisement
