OSOGBO, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State is currently holding its governorship primary, defying internal resistance and deepening the crisis that has fractured the opposition party at both state and national levels.
The primary is taking place despite a declaration on Monday, December 1, 2025, by Sunday Bisi, the Osun PDP chairman, who announced that the exercise could not proceed as scheduled due to the unresolved national leadership dispute.
Bisi warned that Governor Ademola Adeleke, the party’s only formally screened aspirant, might withdraw from the race unless the crisis was resolved in accordance with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) guidelines and timelines.
“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,” Bisi said.
However, the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), which has asserted control amid the PDP’s widening leadership split, insisted that the primary must proceed as planned.
The situation took a dramatic turn after Adeleke resigned his membership of the PDP on Monday, December 1, 2025, citing the party’s national leadership crisis. His exit upended the already fragile pre-primary landscape, leaving the party scrambling to maintain a semblance of order.
Despite his resignation, Adeleke’s name appeared on the printed ballot papers at the primary venue—Adolak Hall in Osogbo—where delegates began arriving on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, under heavy security.
His name appeared alongside that of Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, the only other aspirant listed.
The PDP electoral committee, led by Humphrey Abba, was also present to oversee the process.
Other committee members include Marc Jacob, Sanya Atofarati, Scholastical Kenebi, Anene Azubuike, Splendour Josephine, and Sunday Solarin, who is serving as secretary.
Security presence around the venue was visibly heightened to deter violence, reflecting the tensions surrounding the exercise.
Party stakeholders remain divided over the legitimacy of the primary, particularly in light of Adeleke’s resignation and the unresolved dispute between competing national factions.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, one of the off-cycle polls that continue to shape Nigeria’s evolving electoral calendar.
With the PDP still struggling to stabilise its internal structure, questions remain over the party’s readiness to present a united front ahead of the crucial contest.
