PDP Halts Osun Governorship Primary as Crisis Deepens, Hints Adeleke Might Withdraw From Race

He also disclosed that the crisis has cast doubt on Adeleke’s interest in seeking the party’s nomination.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has cancelled its December 2 governorship primary, saying Governor Ademola Adeleke “may no longer be interested” in pursuing the party’s ticket for the 2026 election.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, the Osun PDP Chairman, Mr. Sunday Bisi, said the worsening internal crises within the party had made the conduct of the primary impossible.

He also disclosed that the crisis has cast doubt on Adeleke’s interest in seeking the party’s nomination.

“However, because of the internal crisis rocking the national leadership of our party, the information at my disposal is that Governor Ademola Adeleke may no longer be interested in seeking the nomination of the PDP for the 2026 Osun Gubernatorial Election, except a resolution recognised by INEC is reached within the INEC timeline,” he said.

Bisi noted that Adeleke’s decision could still change, but only if the party’s national dispute is resolved in a manner recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and within the commission’s electoral timetable.

He explained that Adeleke had fulfilled all preliminary requirements for nomination, saying 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.”

He added that the governor appeared before the screening committee on October 30, was cleared without reservations, and issued a Certificate of Clearance.

“However, soon after these pre-primary processes were concluded, the internal imbroglio rocking the national leadership of our party escalated,

“The suspension and counter-suspension of key national officers, officers who are statutorily central to the conduct of congresses, primaries, and the transmission of our candidate’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), created a level of uncertainty that directly impacted the planned schedule.”

He noted that the crisis stalled the ad-hoc ward and local government congresses scheduled for November 24 and 29, where delegates for the primaries would have been elected. “As you are all aware, the issues leading to these disruptions are presently before various courts across the country,” he said.

Bisi said, “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.”

The PDP has long been grappling with internal crises, with factions continuously emerging. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Adeleke may defect from the party amid the turmoil, though his preferred destination remains uncertain.