Osun governor Adeleke withdraws bid to contest under PDP for second term

Governor Ademola Adeleke has reportedly withdrawn his bid for a second term under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State

The party chairman in the state, Sunday Bisi, made this known on Monday at a press briefing in Osogbo, capital of the state.

According to him, the 2026 governorship primary election, earlier slated to hold tomorrow, Tuesday, has been cancelled.

He said that though the governor is the sole candidate of the party but the ongoing crisis made cancellation of the primary inevitable.

Bisi noted that, going by the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guiding the conduct of pthe rimary election, the only way the PDP could validly nominate a candidate is by resolution duly authorized by the electoral umpire.

He added that the crisis stalled the conduct of the statutory ad-hoc ward and local government congresses, scheduled for November 24th and 29th respectively, could not hold. “These are the very congresses where delegates to the primaries are elected”.

His words, “In the light of the foregoing, it has become inevitable, indeed unavoidable, that the PDP governorship primaries earlier slated for Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, can no longer hold as scheduled. It is equally important to restate, for the record, that Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the sole aspirant who purchased, submitted, and was duly screened in line with the party’s official timetable.

However, because of the internal crisis rocking the national leadership of our party, the information at my disposal is that Governor Ademola Adeleke may not, any longer be interested in seeking the nomination of the PDP for the 2026 Osun Gubernatorial Election, except a resolution recognized by INEC is reached within the INEC timeline.

“While we acknowledge that the conduct of primaries rests exclusively with the National Secretariat of the PDP, when the current leadership crisis is finally resolved. We also recognize our responsibility to the good people of Osun State. As a party built on transparency and trust, it is only proper that we keep our members and the public abreast of these developments”.

The PDP is embroiled in a fierce leadership battle between two factions. The first group is loyal to newly elected National Chairman Tanimu Turaki and supported by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi. This faction recently held a convention in Ibadan, asserting control of the party and announcing the removal of opponents. Adeleke’s absence from the convention underscored the precariousness of his position.

Across the divide is the Wike faction, aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Anyanwu has rejected his removal, insisting he remains the lawful National Secretary, and the Turaki-led faction has no authority to sack him.

The conflict exploded on 18 November, when both camps clashed at the party’s national secretariat, prompting security operatives to fire teargas.

Meanwhile, the Wike’s camp has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to court seeking to stop recognition of the Ibadan convention.