The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun says Ademola Adeleke may withdraw from seeking the party’s ticket for the 2026 governorship election unless the ongoing national leadership crisis is resolved in a manner recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and within its timelines.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Sunday Bisi, chairman of the PDP in Osun, said the party’s governorship primary scheduled for December 2 can no longer hold as planned.
He said the suspension and counter-suspension of key national officers, who are essential to organising congresses and transmitting candidates’ names to the INEC, created uncertainty around the process.
“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,” Bisi said.
“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.”
The Osun PDP chair noted that the issue prevented the party from holding its ad-hoc ward congresses on November 24 and the local government congresses scheduled for November 29.
He said the congresses were supposed to elect delegates who would vote in the primary, adding that several of the issues causing the disruptions are now before courts nationwide.
“We wish to reaffirm that His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, Governor of Osun State, has fully complied with all requirements set out in the PDP’s timetable for nomination,” Bisi said.
“He purchased and submitted the expression of interest and nomination forms within the stipulated window of October 13th to 25th, 2025, being the deadline for submission.
“His Excellency thereafter appeared before the duly constituted Screening Committee of our great party on Thursday, October 30. He was screened, cleared without reservations, and issued a Certificate of Clearance in accordance with party procedures.”
Bisi said the conduct of primaries is strictly the responsibility of the PDP national secretariat once its leadership issues are settled.
He added that the Osun chapter still owes the public an obligation to provide clarity as events unfold.
The PDP chair said the state and national leadership of the party are working to secure a lawful and timely resolution.
