Breaking: Adeleke quits PDP, cites unresolved national leadership crisis

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attributing his decision to the prolonged leadership crisis that has destabilised the party at the national level.

Adeleke announced his exit in a statement posted on his Instagram page late Monday, confirming that he tendered his resignation on November 4, 2025, to party leaders in Sagba Abogunde, Ward 2, Ede North Local Government. He expressed appreciation to PDP members and supporters, noting that the party provided him the platform to serve as a senator and later as governor.

His resignation comes amid deepening internal conflict that has stalled key party activities, including the 2026 governorship primary in Osun State. The PDP’s state chairman, Sunday Bisi, had earlier disclosed that the primary scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, could no longer hold due to the escalating national leadership dispute involving suspensions and counter-suspensions of principal officers responsible for overseeing congresses and transmitting candidates’ details to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Bisi explained that although Adeleke purchased and submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms within the approved window of October 13–25 and was screened and cleared on October 30, the crisis paralysed the ward and local government congresses set for November 24 and 29, where delegates for the primary would have been elected. He added that several aspects of the crisis were already before different courts across the country, creating further uncertainty.

The chairman acknowledged that Adeleke remained the only aspirant who successfully completed all pre-primary requirements, but said the governor may no longer be inclined to seek the party’s ticket unless the crisis is resolved and recognised by INEC within the commission’s electoral timetable.

With the PDP unable to conduct its internal processes, attention has shifted to alternative platforms for the governor’s possible re-election bid. The Accord Party has emerged as one of the options, and its Osun chairman, Victor Akande, has publicly stated that Adeleke would be granted a waiver if he chooses to contest on the party’s platform. He noted that although two aspirants are already seeking the Accord ticket, the party would welcome the governor if he decides to join.

Adeleke is expected to announce his new political direction in the coming weeks as the state’s 2026 governorship race begins to take shape.