Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, is reportedly exploring alternative political platforms ahead of the 2026 governorship election as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) grapples with a deepening leadership crisis.
The party remains divided between factions loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. The infighting has crippled key administrative functions, including preparations for primary elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled party primaries between November 24 and December 15, 2025. However, PDP’s internal disputes may hinder Adeleke from securing a valid nomination under the party.
The Nation reports that unresolved conflicts over the PDP national secretary and factional leadership have stalled nomination processes in both Ekiti and Osun states.
PDP National Vice-Chairman (South), Engr. Kamoru Ajisafe, confirmed the party’s inability to conduct any legitimate primary due to the ongoing crisis. Speaking on Rave FM’s Frank Talk programme in Osun State, Ajisafe criticised Wike and the factional national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for escalating the turmoil.
“The ongoing power struggle has rendered the party unable to move forward. The infighting has paralysed PDP’s organisational capacity,” Ajisafe said, noting that it has become “difficult to administer the party unanimously,” particularly regarding candidate nominations in Ekiti and Osun.
He added, “We planned the primaries and even wrote to INEC to monitor the process, but the Anyanwu group intervened, saying no primary should hold. In Osun, despite being given time for the primary on December 15, Anyanwu was not ready to sign. How do we proceed? That automatically cedes the mandate of the election.”
Addressing Adeleke’s possible defection, Ajisafe stated, “If anything happens in Osun, it will be about finding a platform to contest. For a party member, it’s understandable. But our primary is December 15, and INEC will not recognise any candidate emerging outside that schedule. It is widely known that PDP will not be able to nominate a candidate for the 2026 governorship election.”
He further explained that while discussions have occurred between Wike and Adeleke, the governor made it clear he wanted to halt the internal shenanigans and assert his own priorities, highlighting the growing uncertainty over his political future.
