By [Olusegun Ogunkayode], Osogbo
The 2026 governorship race in Osun State has been thrown into fresh uncertainty as the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced the postponement of its governorship primary earlier scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
The State Chairman of the party, Hon. Sunday Bisi, told journalists in Osogbo on Monday, 1st December, 2025, that the exercise could not go ahead because of the unresolved leadership crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
Hon. Bisi explained that key national officers responsible for conducting primaries and transmitting candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been caught in a web of suspensions and counter-suspensions, creating confusion over who is legally empowered to supervise congresses and sign off on the outcome.
According to him, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke had fully complied with all nomination requirements in line with the party’s timetable and guidelines.
“The governor had purchased and submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms within the stipulated window of October 13 to 25, 2025, appeared before the party’s Screening Committee on October 30, and was cleared without reservations,” Bisi said.
He, however, noted that the ward and local government congresses earlier fixed for November 24 and 29 to elect delegates for the primary could not hold because of the leadership tussle within the PDP’s national hierarchy, parts of which are already subjects of litigation in courts across the country.
The development has effectively disrupted the party’s timetable for the Osun governorship primary and raised fresh doubts about the platform on which Governor Adeleke will contest for a second term.
In a significant admission, the Osun PDP chairman hinted that Adeleke’s interest in flying the PDP flag in 2026 now depends largely on how quickly and lawfully the crisis in Abuja is resolved and whether any resolution is recognised by INEC within the commission’s deadline for party primaries.
Party sources at the national level and in Osun have, in recent weeks, expressed concern that the deepening crisis could force the governor to consider alternative platforms if the PDP cannot guarantee a valid nomination process ahead of the 2026 poll.
Hon. Bisi stressed that the power to conduct and reschedule primaries rests solely with the PDP National Secretariat, but insisted that the Osun chapter has a duty to keep party members and the public informed about the evolving situation.
“We owe our members and the good people of Osun State full transparency. We want to assure them that leaders of our party at both state and national levels are working tirelessly to resolve this crisis in a lawful manner and within the timeframe set by INEC,” he said.
He also urged PDP supporters to remain calm, adding that consultations are ongoing to protect both the party’s interest and Adeleke’s political future as the countdown to the 2026 governorship election continues.
ction continues.
