The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the postponement of its 2026 governorship primary election due to internal disputes within the party’s national leadership. The primary was initially scheduled to take place on December 2, 2025.
According to a statement released by the party’s state chairman, Sunday Bisi, in Osogbo, Governor Ademola Adeleke had fulfilled all the necessary procedural requirements outlined in the PDP nomination timetable. The Governor purchased and submitted his expression of interest and nomination forms between October 13 and 25, 2025, and subsequently appeared before the Screening Committee on October 30, 2025, where he was cleared and issued a Certificate of Clearance.
However, internal conflicts at the national level escalated soon after the screening process, resulting in the suspension of key officers responsible for overseeing congresses and primaries. The leadership crisis, which is now the subject of multiple court cases across the country, prevented the conduct of ward and local government congresses scheduled for November 24 and 29, 2025, during which delegates for the primaries were to be elected.
As a result, the PDP governorship primaries can no longer hold as scheduled. The party chairman confirmed that Governor Adeleke remains the only aspirant to have purchased, submitted, and been screened in accordance with the official timetable. Despite this, the ongoing national leadership dispute has raised concerns about the Governor’s potential withdrawal from seeking the party’s nomination unless a resolution recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is secured within the electoral timeframe.
The party emphasized that the responsibility for conducting primaries rests solely with the PDP National Secretariat, but it was necessary to keep members and the public updated. Efforts are underway to secure a lawful and timely resolution to the crisis. The party reiterated its commitment to ensuring compliance with electoral guidelines and maintaining transparency in all processes.
The postponement of the governorship primary highlights the challenges faced by the PDP in Osun State. The party’s ability to resolve its internal disputes and conduct a successful primary election will be crucial in determining its chances in the 2026 governorship election. With the electoral timeframe nearing, the party must work towards a swift resolution to avoid any further complications.