The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its 2026 governorship primary over unresolved internal disputes within the party’s national leadership.
The primary was initially scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.
In a statement issued in Osogbo by the state chairman, Sunday Bisi, the party noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke had already met all procedural requirements outlined in the PDP nomination timetable.
According to Bisi, the Governor purchased and submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms between 13 and 25 October 2025.
He added that Governor Adeleke subsequently appeared before the Screening Committee on 30 October 2025, where he was cleared and issued a Certificate of Clearance.
However, Bisi explained that internal conflicts at the national level escalated shortly after the screening exercise, leading to the suspension of key officers responsible for supervising congresses and primaries.
He said the leadership crisis—now the subject of several court cases across the country—halted the ward and local government congresses slated for 24 and 29 November 2025, during which delegates for the primary were expected to be elected.
“In light of these developments, it has become inevitable that the PDP governorship primary can no longer hold as scheduled,” he stated.
The party chairman confirmed that Governor Adeleke remained the only aspirant who duly purchased, submitted, and underwent screening in line with the official timetable.
Nonetheless, the prolonged national leadership tussle has raised concerns that the Governor might withdraw from the race unless a settlement recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is achieved within the electoral window.
The party stressed that the responsibility for conducting primaries rests solely with the PDP National Secretariat but said it considered it necessary to keep members and the public informed.
Bisi assured that efforts were ongoing to secure a lawful and timely resolution to the crisis and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to complying with electoral guidelines and maintaining transparency throughout the process.
