Osogbo, Dec. 2, 2025 — The Osun PDP governorship primary took place on Tuesday amid notable absences, including Governor Ademola Adeleke and several key party leaders. Despite Adeleke’s earlier resignation from the PDP, his name still appeared on the ballot, though officials clarified that votes cast for him would not count.
At the primary, Adedamola Olugbenga Adebayo (popularly known as Fryo) secured 919 votes out of 957 accredited delegates, with 20 void votes recorded. The chairman of the PDP primary election committee, Humphrey Abba, declared Adebayo the duly elected candidate, confirming his victory as the party’s flagbearer for the 2026 Osun governorship election.
The exercise was monitored by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP’s national committee, with heavy security presence to forestall disruptions. However, tension flared shortly after the announcement when the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, led lawmakers to confront individuals at the venue, sparking a fracas involving a staff member of INEC.
Adeleke’s absence and resignation from the PDP have fueled speculation about his next political move, with analysts suggesting that his decision could reshape Osun’s political landscape ahead of 2026. Party insiders say his exit was linked to ongoing crises within the PDP’s national leadership.
For Adebayo, the victory marks a significant milestone as he prepares to lead the PDP into a high-stakes election against the ruling APC and other opposition parties. His emergence is expected to rally grassroots support, though internal divisions within the PDP may pose challenges to party unity.
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