Adeleke, Adebayo on ballot as Osun PDP gov primary begins

Despite announcing his resignation from the party, the name of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke appeared on the ballot paper for the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary as 957 delegates began voting to elect the party’s flagbearer on Tuesday in Osogbo, the state capital

The Secretary of the Committee in charge of the primary, Sunday Solarin, announced the start of voting shortly after the accreditation of delegates ended around 11:35 a.m.

Solarin said Adeleke and Adebayo Adedamola were the two aspirants seeking the party’s ticket, adding that Adeleke had already announced his resignation from the party.

He further explained that votes cast for Adeleke would “eventually amount to waste,” urging delegates to follow instructions as they voted in the primary.

As of the time of filing this report, voting is ongoing.

Recall that PUNCH Online had reported that representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission and a committee led by Humphrey Abba from the PDP national headquarters had arrived at the venue in Osogbo.

There was also a heavy security presence, with armed operatives from the Department of State Security, the police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stationed at the entrance and exit.

The chairman of the primary committee announced the commencement of proceedings at exactly 11:07 a.m., as delegates filed in to check their names before voting.

The exercise had been clouded by uncertainty. Theophilus Shan, a factional National Organising Secretary of the PDP, earlier directed that the primary would go ahead as planned, but Umar Bature, the National Organising Secretary of another faction, said the exercise had been shifted.

Earlier, Adeleke had announced his resignation from the PDP.

His resignation letter, dated December 4, 2025, was addressed to PDP Ward 2 Chairman Sagba Abogunde of Ede North Local Government.

A copy obtained by PUNCH Online in the early hours of Tuesday, partly read,”Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.

“I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party.”

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed the development.

PUNCH Online reports that the PDP leadership in Osun State said Adeleke may no longer be interested in seeking the party’s nomination for the 2026 governorship election.

However, the party noted that his decision could change if the crises within the party are resolved, recognised by INEC, and concluded within the Commission’s timeline for the Osun poll.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi said the crises had made it impossible to conduct the party’s governorship primary as earlier scheduled for December 2.

According to the timetable released by INEC detailing activities towards the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship poll, parties fielding candidates have until December 15 to submit the names of their flagbearers.