Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State confronts a severe political dilemma as he heads into the 2026 governorship election, with his party — the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) — locked in a crippling internal feud that threatens his re-election bid.
What should have been a routine pathway for a second term — rely on the platform that delivered him to office, campaign on his record, mobilise party structure — is now mired in uncertainty.
The PDP’s national collapse has deprived Adeleke of what many incumbents count on: a valid, recognised party structure capable of signing nomination forms. The deadline set by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries — December 15, 2025 — looms large, but with two rival factions battling for control, neither has the national legitimacy required to conduct a valid nomination process. This institutional deadlock has transformed the primaries into a political trap rather than a formality.
Internally, the rift pits the faction led by Tanimu Turaki, backed by some state governors including those from Oyo and Bauchi, against the faction loyal to former minister Nyesom Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Chaotic scenes recently played out at PDP headquarters in Abuja when both sides attempted to seize the venue — a confrontation that escalated to tear gas and street-level clashes.
The implications for Osun are stark. Senator Anyanwu, backed by the Wike-aligned bloc, has reportedly refused to sign any primary-related documents for the state. Senior party leaders have warned that without a valid national leadership recognised by INEC, no legitimate nomination can emerge for Osun, effectively leaving Adeleke without a platform.
Faced with this crisis, Adeleke reportedly has opened discussions with alternative political parties, including the Accord Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to secure a viable platform ahead of the elections. Some insiders suggest Accord Party negotiations are most advanced, although talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were publicly denied by his media aide.
Each option carries risk. Staying with PDP preserves loyalty but offers little assurance of a valid ticket. Defecting to a major party like All Progressives Congress (APC) may solve the nomination problem but could attract criticism of opportunism. Joining a smaller party offers a clean ticket but demands rapid mobilisation of support and infrastructure — a tall order in a state where grassroots structures determine outcomes.
As the nomination deadline approaches, Adeleke’s decision will not only shape his political future but may also influence the broader trajectory of opposition politics in Nigeria. If the PDP fails to resolve its internal crisis, the Osun election could become a turning point — not just for one governor, but for the viability of multiparty competition in the country.
