The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has cancelled its governorship primary scheduled for December 2, 2025, citing an unresolved national leadership crisis that has disrupted the party’s ability to organise congresses and transmit candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Sunday Bisi, chairman of the Osun PDP, told journalists on Monday the suspension and counter‑suspension of key national officers — who are essential to organising party congresses and filing nominations with INEC — created unacceptable uncertainty around the process.
“In the light of the foregoing, it has become inevitable, indeed unavoidable, that the PDP governorship primaries earlier slated for Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, can no longer hold as scheduled,” Bisi said.
Bisi said the dispute also prevented the party from holding its ad‑hoc ward congresses on November 24 and the local government congresses scheduled for November 29, which were to elect delegates for the primary. He added that several of the issues causing the disruption are now before courts nationwide.
He emphasised that Governor Ademola Adeleke — who, he said, “purchased, submitted and was duly screened” in line with the party timetable — remains the sole aspirant who met the party’s requirements. Adeleke bought and submitted expression of interest and nomination forms during the October 13–25 window and was screened and cleared by the PDP Screening Committee on October 30.
“His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, Governor of Osun State, has fully complied with all requirements set out in the PDP’s timetable for nomination,” Bisi said.
However, Bisi warned that Adeleke “may no longer be interested in seeking the nomination of the PDP for the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election” unless the national leadership dispute is resolved in a manner recognised by INEC and within its timelines.
Bisi said the conduct of primaries is the responsibility of the PDP national secretariat once its leadership matters are settled, and said state and national leaders are working to secure a lawful and timely resolution.
