The Osun State caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party in the House of Representatives has cautioned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to refrain from interfering in the affairs of Osun State. This warning comes after a disputed governorship primary election was held on Tuesday, which resulted in Adebayo Adedamola being declared the PDP’s candidate for the 2026 election.
In a statement signed by six members of the caucus, the lawmakers rejected the primary election, describing it as “illegal” and orchestrated by “thugs and political jobbers” allegedly brought in from Ibadan, Oyo State. The caucus accused Governor Makinde of attempting to undermine the political stability of Osun State through his actions.
The lawmakers emphasized that the PDP has established procedures for conducting primaries, which include the election of ward ad-hoc delegates and national delegates. They argued that these procedures were not followed, rendering the primary election invalid. The caucus warned that anyone claiming to be the PDP’s candidate based on the disputed primary would be engaging in “criminal impersonation” and attempting to provoke the party’s members in Osun State.
The lawmakers also criticized Governor Makinde for exporting “impunity, recklessness, and sham” to Osun State, despite the presence of a sitting governor who is known for carrying all stakeholders along in major decision-making. They pledged to uphold the 1999 Constitution and advised that anyone interested in contesting the 2026 Osun governorship election must adhere to the rules.
The Independent National Electoral Commission was urged to disregard the results of the disputed primary and align with the PDP’s constitution and guidelines. The crisis in Osun State is a reflection of the deeper internal leadership struggles within the PDP at the national level, with factions led by different power blocs vying for control. This has led to the suspension or counter-suspension of key national officers, making it challenging for state chapters to conduct legitimate primaries.
The situation in Osun State has been further complicated by the resignation of Governor Adeleke from the PDP on November 4, 2025, citing the ongoing national leadership crisis as the reason. The developments in Osun State highlight the need for the PDP to resolve its internal conflicts and establish a stable leadership structure to ensure the conduct of free and fair primaries.