Peoples Democratic Party, Osun Chapter Differ Over Gov’ship Primaries Today

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Osun State chapter have clashed over the holding of the party’s governorship primary  scheduled for  today.

While the Osun PDP called off the exercise, the national leadership led by Tanimu Turaki, insisted that the event would be held as planned.

The clash over the primaries follows a lingering crisis within the PDP which has led to the emergence of a camp and legal cases over the recent national convention.

The national organising secretary, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, who said the exercise would proceed as scheduled, stressed that it is sequel to an earlier notice of October 28, 2025 to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the Party’s gubernatorial primaries, and the successful completion of congresses to elect ad-hoc delegates and National delegates in Osun State on the 24 and 29 of November, 2025.

Shan, in a statement, reminded strategic stakeholders and the general public that the primaries to elect the gubernatorial candidate will be held today at the ​​Atlantis Multipurpose Hall, Ring road, Osogbo, Osun State by ​​​10am.

“Furthermore, the Electoral Committee for the Primaries has been constituted and will oversee the conduct of the primaries accordingly.

“The candidates cleared for the primaries are advised to behave in accordance with the provisions of our party’s constitution and in the interest of law and order, as any act of indiscipline will be severely punished,” he said.

Earlier however, the party in Osun disclosed that its governorship primary earlier scheduled for today, would no longer hold.

Speaking with newsmen at the party secretariat in Osogbo on Monday, Osun PDP Chairman, Mr Sunday Bisi said though the governor is the sole candidate of the party but the ongoing crisis made cancellation of the primary inevitable.

According to Bisi, going by the time table of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guiding the conduct of primary election, the only way the PDP could validly nominate a candidate is by resolution duly authorised by the electoral umpire.

He added that the crisis stalled the conduct of the statutory ad-hoc ward and local government congresses, scheduled for November 24th and 29th respectively, could not hold. “These are the very congresses where delegates to the primaries are elected”.

His words, “In the light of the foregoing, it has become inevitable, indeed unavoidable, that the PDP governorship primaries earlier slated for Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, can no longer hold as scheduled. 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.

However, because of the internal crisis rocking the national leadership of our party, the information at my disposal is that Governor Ademola Adeleke may not, any longer be interested in seeking the nomination of the PDP for the 2026 Osun Gubernatorial Election, except a resolution recognized by INEC is reached within the INEC timeline.

“While we acknowledge that the conduct of primaries rests exclusively with the National Secretariat of the PDP, when the current leadership crisis is finally resolved. We also recognize our responsibility to the good people of Osun State. As a party built on transparency and trust, it is only proper that we keep our members and the public abreast of these developments”.