The ongoing crisis within the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as the party said it has not received any formal communication from Governor Ademola Adeleke regarding his alleged resignation.
A letter purportedly signed by Adeleke, announcing his resignation from the PDP, had circulated widely on social media earlier in the day, sparking speculation that the governor was leaving the party due to internal conflicts. Reports suggested that Adeleke cited long-standing disagreements within the party as his reason for stepping down.
Despite the viral circulation of the resignation letter, Adeleke’s name remained on the ballot during Tuesday’s governorship primary in Osogbo. At the end of the voting, Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, popularly known as Fryo, emerged as the PDP governorship candidate with 919 votes out of 957 valid votes cast.
Speaking to journalists after a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja, PDP Factional Chairman Kabiru Turaki clarified the party’s position. “We have not received any formal notification from Governor Adeleke. If he chooses to stay or leave, that is within his rights, but the party has not been officially informed,” Turaki said.
He added that the party would rely on reports from officials who supervised the Osun primaries to determine whether Adeleke formally withdrew from the contest.
Turaki also emphasized the strength of the PDP lies in its grassroots supporters, not in individual officeholders who may switch parties during internal disputes. He noted that previous defections across Nigeria had failed to weaken the party’s structure.
The factional chairman confirmed that the NWC had reviewed and approved the ad hoc delegate congresses conducted in Osun State. Preparations are also ongoing for the upcoming Anambra local government elections.
On national matters, Turaki expressed concern about Nigeria’s growing security challenges and urged the federal government to overhaul the country’s security system. He argued that governors cannot act as chief security officers without full control over security agencies and called for broad reforms to strengthen national security.