Politics

Governor Ademola Adeleke May Exit 2026 Race Amid Internal Party Crisis, Osun PDP Says

Ayo Marvel Posted on 4 days ago 2 min read

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has hinted that Governor Ademola Adeleke may no longer pursue the party’s ticket for the 2026 governorship election, citing unresolved internal crises within the PDP’s national leadership.

Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Monday, the state chairman, Sunday Bisi, explained that the turmoil rocking the party had disrupted its timetable and made it impossible to hold the governorship primary earlier scheduled for December 2, 2025.

Bisi noted that Adeleke had met all requirements for nomination, including purchasing and submitting his forms between October 13 and 25, and appearing before the screening committee on October 30, where he was cleared without reservations.

However, he said the suspension and counter-suspension of key national officers, who are critical to conducting congresses and transmitting candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), created uncertainty that derailed the process.

“The statutory ward and local government congresses slated for November 24 and 29, where delegates to the primaries are elected, could not hold. The issues leading to these disruptions are already before various courts across the country,” Bisi explained.

He added that unless the crisis is resolved and recognised by INEC within its stipulated timeline, Adeleke may step aside from seeking the PDP nomination.

The PDP’s internal conflict has split the party into factions, raising doubts about its ability to field a candidate. According to INEC’s timetable for the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship election, political parties have until December 15, 2025 to submit their candidates’ names.