A fresh wave of uncertainty has hit Osun politics as the deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has forced a halt to the scheduled governorship primary, raising doubts over Governor Ademola Adeleke’s interest in seeking the party’s ticket for the 2026 election.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Monday, the Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, confirmed that the party could no longer proceed with the December 2 primary following unresolved disputes at the national level.
He explained that the leadership tussle, suspensions, and counter suspensions of key officers central to organising congresses and primaries had crippled the process.
Bisi noted that Adeleke had fulfilled all obligations under the party’s timetable. According to him, the governor “purchased and submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms within the stipulated window” and also appeared before the screening committee on October 30, where he was cleared without any objection.
He said the crisis escalated shortly after those pre primary activities, disrupting the statutory ad hoc ward and local government congresses meant for November 24 and 29. These congresses are responsible for producing delegates who would vote at the primary. The disputes, he added, are now before different courts.
Bisi said the party had reached a point where holding the primary as planned was impossible. He also revealed that the uncertainty created by the crisis had affected Adeleke’s decision on the ticket.
In his words, the information available to him suggests that the governor “may no longer be interested in seeking the nomination of the PDP for the 2026 Osun governorship election, except a resolution recognised by INEC is reached within the commission’s timeline.”
With INEC’s calendar giving political parties until December 15 to submit the names of their candidates, the PDP faces a tight window to resolve its internal battles and salvage its position ahead of the August 8 poll.
17jsxt