PDP Crisis Deepens as Adeleke Resigns, Adebayo Wins Osun Ticket

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was noticeably absent on Tuesday as the (PDP) Peoples Democratic Party conducted its governorship primary election in Osogbo. At the end of the exercise, Adedamola Adebayo emerged as the PDP candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election, polling 919 votes out of 957 accredited delegates.

Adebayo Clinches PDP Ticket Amid Absentee Leaders

Adebayo secured an overwhelming victory after one of the cleared aspirants, Governor Adeleke, withdrew earlier in the day. Although Adeleke had announced his resignation from the PDP, his name remained on the ballot due to procedural constraints. The election committee, led by Humphrey Abba, declared Adebayo winner after announcing 20 void votes.

Security was tight around the venue, with operatives of the Department of State Services, police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stationed at strategic points. Voting commenced at 11:07 a.m. following the arrival of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission and members of the PDP national committee.

The primary took place despite internal disputes within the party. Conflicting instructions from two factional National Organising Secretaries—Theophilus Shan and Umar Bature—had created uncertainty, with one faction insisting the primary should go on and the other announcing a postponement.

Tension at Venue as INEC Staff Assaulted

Shortly after the exercise ended, tension escalated when Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, entered the venue with some lawmakers. A confrontation ensued with individuals still at the scene, during which a suspected thug assaulted a man believed to be an INEC staff member. Video clips showed Egbedun entering the hall, engaging in a heated exchange, before the assault occurred.

Another incident occurred when a bus transporting several individuals from the area was intercepted by a mob. The passengers were beaten before being taken to the House of Assembly Police Post. Speaking to the press afterward, one of them, Wakili Aderemi from Ibadan, said the group had visited Osogbo for a union meeting and had no involvement in the primary exercise.

Adeleke’s Resignation Deepens PDP Crisis

Governor Adeleke’s absence followed his resignation from the PDP earlier in the day. In a letter dated December 4, 2025, addressed to his ward chairman in Ede North, he cited the internal leadership crisis at the national level as his reason for leaving the party. His spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed the development.

Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, disclosed that the governor might reconsider his decision if the ongoing crises were resolved promptly. The Independent National Electoral Commission has given political parties until December 15 to submit their candidates for the August 8, 2026 governorship election.