Osun PDP says Governor Adeleke may abandon his Adeleke 2026 ticket bid unless the party resolves its national crisis within INEC’s timeline
Osogbo, Nigeria – 3 February 2025: The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Mr Sunday Bisi, said on Monday that Governor Ademola Adeleke may no longer be interested in seeking the party’s nomination for the 2026 governorship election, citing deepening national leadership crises that have paralysed internal processes.
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Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo, Bisi said the turmoil within the PDP had made it impossible to conduct the ward, local government and state congresses required to elect delegates for the primary originally scheduled for 2 December.
He explained that the unresolved disputes, including suspensions and counter-suspensions of key national officers, had created uncertainty that undermined the entire nomination timetable.
Bisi confirmed that Governor Adeleke had fulfilled all obligations in pursuit of the Adeleke 2026 ticket, including purchasing his forms between 13 and 25 October 2025 and successfully passing screening on 30 October.
He said the governor was issued a Certificate of Clearance in line with party rules.
However, he noted that the escalating national crisis, which has splintered the PDP into rival factions and triggered multiple court cases, stopped the statutory congresses from holding on 24 and 29 November. He said these congresses were essential for producing legitimate delegates.
“In the light of the foregoing, it has become unavoidable that the PDP governorship primaries earlier slated for 2 December can no longer hold,” Bisi said.
“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, unless a resolution recognised by INEC is reached within the commission’s timeline.”
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable for the 8 August Osun poll, political parties have until 15 December to submit the names of their candidates.
Also read: Osun PDP dismisses defections, accuses Oluwole Oke of seeking imposition
With the deadline approaching, the PDP faces mounting pressure to resolve its internal disputes or risk forfeiting its place in the race.
Ibrahim Onipede is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
