The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has cancelled its governorship primary scheduled for December 2, warning that ongoing internal crises at the national level have made the exercise impossible to conduct.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Monday, the Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, disclosed that Governor Ademola Adeleke “may no longer be interested” in seeking the party’s ticket for the 2026 governorship election unless the national leadership resolves its crisis within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s timeline.
Bisi said the turmoil in the party’s national structure — including the suspension and counter-suspension of key officials responsible for organising primaries — had created legal and procedural uncertainty that stalled the entire nomination process.
According to Bisi, although Governor Adeleke has completed all preliminary requirements for the primaries, the deepening crisis has cast significant doubt on his participation.
“From the information available to me, Governor Ademola Adeleke may no longer be interested in seeking the PDP nomination for the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election, except a resolution recognised by INEC is reached within the INEC timeline,” Bisi said.
He added that Adeleke purchased and submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms between October 13 and 25 — the official window for submissions — and was screened and cleared by the committee on October 30.
Bisi explained that the internal feud at the national level escalated immediately after Adeleke was cleared, resulting in the suspension of crucial national officers whose roles are central to the conduct of primaries.
He said the crisis made it impossible to hold the ad-hoc ward and local government congresses scheduled for November 24 and 29, where delegates meant to vote in the primaries were to be elected.
“As you are aware, the issues leading to these disruptions are before several courts across the country,” the chairman noted.
Primary Cancellation ‘Inevitable,’ Party Says
Given the circumstances, Bisi announced that the December 2 governorship primary “can no longer hold as scheduled,” describing the cancellation as “inevitable and unavoidable.”
The PDP has struggled for months with multiple factional disputes, both at the national and state levels. Although unconfirmed, party insiders told SaharaReporters that Adeleke may be considering defection if the crisis continues, though his likely destination remains unclear.
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