PDP chieftain Umar Sani has revealed why Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke missed the party’s recent primary election.

Sani stated that Governor Adeleke fears the party’s internal conflicts would prevent it from fielding a legitimate candidate.

Appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Sani made a strong allegation. He claimed the governor planned to defect to another party. His aim, Sani said, was to secure an election ticket, then later rejoin the PDP.

Sani further alleged that Adeleke intentionally skipped the primary. This, he suggested, was to justify a temporary defection.

PDP Rejects Alleged Strategy

Sani, who chaired Osun’s three-man ad hoc delegates committee, confirmed his direct supervision. He oversaw the delegates’ election in Osogbo.

He reported a peaceful exercise. Results were uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal. INEC officially acknowledged them.

The party, Sani added, has rejected this strategy. It insists all aspirants must contest on the PDP platform. This preserves the party’s integrity.

Umar Sani Details PDP’s Stance

Sani provided details of his involvement. “I chaired the three-man ad hoc delegates committee,” he explained. “I was in Osogbo, staying at DC Hotel. We conducted the delegate election there.”

He confirmed the results were uploaded to the INEC portal. “INEC has recognized it,” he stated. “I speak from an insider’s perspective.”

He continued by explaining Adeleke’s alleged motive. “Governor Adeleke does not want the PDP to field a candidate,” Sani claimed. “He believes issues within the PDP affect which signature INEC will recognise.”

Sani added that Adeleke is “trying to move to another party.” “According to him,” Sani said, “he would secure the seat and then return to PDP.”

“The PDP says no,” Sani declared. “We cannot allow that.” He stressed the party’s stance. “We want someone to run on our platform.”

Sani questioned the logic of such a move. “What would the party look like if we don’t use our platform?” he asked. “Other members might then abandon us for similar reasons.” They would “go get something elsewhere and return,” he noted, a scenario the PDP rejects.

“Therefore, we insisted,” Sani affirmed. “Anyone wishing to contest must use our platform.” He concluded, “That’s why we conducted the primary election.”

Sani reiterated its fairness. “It was not hijacked,” he stated, “and was peacefully conducted.” The process was “all over social media.” Results were “openly counted and announced.”