PDP Chieftain Accuses Adeleke of Blocking Party’s 2026 Governorship Bid

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Umar Sani has accused Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of deliberately working to stop the party from fielding a candidate for the 2026 governorship election, describing the governor’s recent political actions as self-serving.

Speaking on ARISE News on Friday, Sani alleged that Adeleke’s decision to resign from the PDP and his ongoing political manoeuvres were designed to protect his personal interest rather than strengthen the party.

“Governor Adeleke does not want the PDP to field a candidate,” Sani claimed. “He believes there are issues within the party regarding whose signature INEC will recognise. His moves are about saving himself, not the party.”

Adeleke formally exited the PDP earlier this week, citing persistent leadership crises at the national level. Days later, the party conducted its governorship primary in Osogbo without the governor’s participation. Adedamola Adebayo emerged as the PDP candidate with 919 votes out of 957 accredited delegates.

Despite Adeleke’s departure, PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki told reporters in Abuja that the party had not yet received any formal letter confirming the governor’s resignation.

Sani accused Adeleke of plotting to defect to another party to pursue his second-term bid before returning to the PDP.
“He wants to move to another party, get the seat, and then come back to the PDP,” Sani alleged. “And we said no, our platform must be used. What happens to the party if we don’t field a candidate?”

He warned that permitting such a strategy would encourage other politicians to abandon the party only to return after securing personal positions elsewhere.

“That is why the primary was held,” he said.

“It wasn’t hijacked by anybody. It was peaceful and transparent, and everyone saw it online.”

Responding to suggestions that Adeleke’s strategy might be logical given the uncertainty over which PDP faction INEC will recognise, Sani insisted the governor must not obstruct the party from producing its own candidate.

“He has the constitutional right to go anywhere,” Sani said. “But he must not stop the party he’s leaving from fielding a candidate. That’s the main issue.”

On rumours that the PDP may be using a placeholder pending resolution of its internal legal disputes, Sani clarified that the party already has a valid candidate.

“As it is now, we have a candidate,” he said. “A candidate can be a placeholder and a placeholder can be a candidate. The law allows substitution, and if we want to make changes, we can. But for now, a candidate has emerged from the primaries.”