A new chapter has opened in Osun State politics as Adebayo Adedamola on Tuesday clinched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for the 2026 election—an outcome sealed in the absence of Governor Ademola Adeleke, whose name still appeared on the ballot despite his earlier resignation from the party.
Adedamola secured an overwhelming victory, polling 919 votes out of the 957 valid votes cast at the primary held in Osogbo, the state capital. Announcing the result, Chairman of the PDP Primary Committee, Humphrey Abba, declared the election free of controversy, noting that 20 votes were voided, while one aspirant had withdrawn prior to voting.
“The candidate that got the remaining votes is Adebayo Adedamola with 919 votes and stands elected and returned,” Abba announced.
Before voting commenced, PUNCH Online reported that Governor Adeleke’s name remained on the ballot despite his confirmed resignation from the PDP. Delegates were informed that any votes cast for Adeleke would be wasted, following his exit from the party.
Committee Secretary Sunday Solarin clarified that only two aspirants—Adeleke and Adedamola—were on the ballot, but Adeleke had formally withdrawn, leaving Adedamola as the sole viable contender. Voting began shortly after accreditation concluded around 11:35 a.m.
The primary was conducted under tight security, with operatives of the DSS, police, and NSCDC stationed across the venue. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and representatives from the PDP national headquarters were also present.
Earlier on Tuesday, Adeleke’s resignation letter—dated November 4, 2025—was made public. Addressed to the PDP Ward 2 Chairman of Ede North Local Government, the governor cited the ongoing crisis within the party’s national leadership as his reason for bowing out.
“I hereby resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect,” Adeleke wrote, expressing gratitude for the opportunities the party gave him to serve both as senator and governor. His spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed the development.
Adeleke’s exit comes amid deepening internal disputes within the Osun PDP. According to the state chairman, Sunday Bisi, the leadership crisis disrupted the initial primary scheduled for December 2. He noted that Adeleke might reconsider his stance if the party resolves its internal issues in time—provided INEC recognizes such resolutions within its election timetable.
As INEC’s schedule stands, political parties have until December 15 to submit the names of their governorship candidates ahead of the August 8, 2026 Osun State election.
With Adedamola now formally elected as the PDP flagbearer, attention shifts to whether the party can pull itself together before the critical submission deadline—and whether Adeleke’s dramatic exit will reshape the political battlefield.