Adebayo Clinches PDP Governorship Ticket as Adeleke Bows Out

Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola has been officially declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, following a primary election held on Tuesday in Osogbo, the state capital.

In the primary, Adedamola secured 919 votes out of 957 cast, defeating Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, whose name appeared on the ballot despite his resignation from the party on November 4, 2025. A total of 20 votes were declared void, and one aspirant had previously withdrawn from the race.

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The primary was overseen by Humphrey Abba, chairman of the PDP primary committee, with Sunday Solarin serving as Secretary. Both officials confirmed the proceedings were conducted under the observation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representatives and a committee from PDP national headquarters.

Voting began shortly after delegate accreditation concluded around 11:35 a.m., although the primary formally commenced at 11:07 a.m., with delegates checking their names before casting ballots. Heavy security was deployed, including personnel from the Department of State Security, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to ensure a peaceful process.

Governor Adeleke had resigned from the PDP, citing crises within the national party leadership, in a letter addressed to PDP Ward 2 Chairman Sagba Abogunde of Ede North Local Government. In the letter, he acknowledged the opportunities provided by the party but indicated he was stepping away due to the ongoing disputes.

Despite Adeleke’s absence from active participation, votes cast for him were effectively rendered “wasted,” according to committee officials, who urged delegates to follow instructions during the voting process.

Addressing the media on Monday, Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi noted that the ongoing crises within the party had complicated the scheduling of the governorship primary, but emphasized that INEC’s timeline for submission of candidates remained in effect. Parties must submit their flagbearers by December 15, 2025, in preparation for the August 8, 2026 election.

The emergence of Adedamola as PDP’s candidate positions him to contest the Osun governorship election as the party’s official flagbearer, potentially reshaping the state’s political landscape amid ongoing party disputes.