Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is reportedly considering a new political platform. This move comes ahead of the 2026 governorship election. It follows a deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This decision stems from intense factional battles within the PDP. Supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde are clashing. They are fighting for control of the party’s national structure. This ongoing dispute has crippled essential administrative functions. Preparations for primary elections are particularly affected.
Challenges for 2026 Primaries
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set a crucial timeline. Political parties must conduct their primaries between November 24 and December 15, 2025. However, the PDP remains engulfed in leadership disputes. This situation could make it difficult for Governor Adeleke to secure a valid party nomination.
Reports indicate unresolved disputes over the party’s national secretary. Furthermore, factional leadership issues have stalled nomination processes. Both Ekiti and Osun states are facing these challenges.
National Vice-Chairman Confirms Impasse
Engr. Kamoru Ajisafe is the PDP National Vice-Chairman (South). He confirmed the party’s current inability to conduct legitimate nomination exercises. He attributed this directly to the internal crisis.
Speaking on Rave FM’s Frank Talk programme in Osun State, Ajisafe openly criticized key figures. He laid blame for the party’s turmoil on Wike and factional national secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu. He stated that the ongoing power struggle has prevented the party from progressing.
Ajisafe accused the FCT Minister and Anyanwu of escalating the crisis. He stressed that this infighting has paralysed the PDP’s organisational capacity. According to him, the dispute has “made it difficult to administer the party unanimously.” This particularly impacts candidate nominations in Ekiti and Osun states.
Ajisafe expressed deep unhappiness with the party’s current state. He noted the PDP planned primaries for Ekiti. The party also informed INEC to monitor this. However, Senator Anyanwu’s faction reportedly wrote to INEC, opposing the primary. For Osun State, a primary date of December 15 was set. Yet, Ajisafe stated, Anyanwu was unwilling to sign necessary documents. This inaction, he explained, effectively forfeits the election mandate.
He further recounted a meeting between Wike and Governor Adeleke. Despite their discussion, Wike later claimed on national television to have advised Adeleke. Ajisafe challenged this. He stated Adeleke had instead urged Wike to end the ‘shenanigans’.
Adeleke’s Potential Defection
Responding to Adeleke’s possible defection, Ajisafe confirmed the likelihood. He stated that if anything happens in Osun, it involves “looking for a platform to contest.” He questioned the PDP’s ability to provide a viable platform. He stressed the party should not risk losing key figures like Adeleke.
Ajisafe highlighted a critical difference between Osun and states like Taraba. Elections in Taraba are slated for 2027. Osun’s election, however, is in 2026. The deadline for Osun’s primary is December 15. He asked how the party planned to manage this situation. “After December 15,” Ajisafe warned, “INEC will not recognise any candidate from any political primary by constitution.”
Ajisafe concluded by stating the severe implications. “It is absolutely known to the whole world,” he declared, “that there is no way that the PDP would be able to nominate a candidate for the 2026 governorship election.”
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