Umar Sani, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has explained Governor Ademola Adeleke’s absence from the party’s recent primary election in Osun State. On Arise Television’s Morning Show, Sani claimed Governor Adeleke believes internal party disputes would prevent the PDP from fielding a valid candidate.

Sani alleged the governor plans to defect to another party. His goal, Sani stated, is to secure an election ticket there. Adeleke would then return to the PDP. Sani asserted the governor intentionally skipped the primary to facilitate this temporary move.

Sani further clarified his direct involvement in the primary process. “I was the chairman of the three-man ad hoc delegates committee,” he stated. “I went to Osun, stayed in Osogbo, and personally conducted the three-man delegate election.” He confirmed results were uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal and officially acknowledged. “I am not speaking to you as somebody from the outside; I am speaking from the inside,” he stressed.

Sani reiterated Adeleke’s alleged motive. “Governor Adeleke does not want PDP to field a candidate,” Sani claimed. “He believes there is a problem within the PDP regarding whose signature will be recognized by INEC.” Sani alleged Adeleke’s plan: move to “another party, get the seat, and then return back to PDP.”

The PDP, however, firmly rejected this idea. “PDP says no, we cannot do that,” Sani affirmed. “What we want is for somebody to run on our platform.” He questioned the party’s integrity if its platform remained unused. He suggested it would encourage others to “run away also and give the same excuse.”

Therefore, the party insisted: “Anybody who wants to contest must use our platform.” Sani confirmed the primary election was conducted peacefully and openly. “It was not hijacked by anybody,” he added. “The results were counted openly, and it was announced.”