Adeleke Quits PDP Amid Deepening Leadership Turmoil

Ademola Adeleke has stepped down from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing the unresolved national leadership crisis that has deepened rifts within the opposition group. His departure was conveyed in a letter dated November 4 and addressed to the chairman of his ward in Sagba Abogunde, Ede North. The governor expressed gratitude for the party’s support throughout his political career, including his election to the senate and later as governor, but said the ongoing turmoil made it impossible for him to remain.

Adeleke has not indicated which platform he will join next. His exit comes at a time when the Osun chapter of the party is struggling to manage internal disputes over its forthcoming governorship primary. The state leadership announced the cancellation of the December 2 primary, while the national working committee, led by Kabiru Turaki, insisted it would proceed as planned. Earlier in the week, the state chairman warned that Adeleke could abandon his bid for the 2026 ticket unless the national crisis is resolved in a manner acceptable to the electoral commission.

His resignation adds to a wave of defections from the party this year, including governors from Akwa Ibom, Delta, Enugu and Bayelsa. Although rumours earlier suggested that Adeleke might cross to the APC or ADC, he had consistently rejected such claims. He is expected to seek re-election in the August 8, 2026 off-cycle poll.

Adeleke first won the governorship in 2022 with 403,371 votes against his rival Gboyega Oyetola, who secured 375,027. A tribunal initially nullified the victory over allegations of over-voting and directed the electoral commission to recognise Oyetola. Adeleke appealed the ruling, and the court of appeal reinstated him in March 2023. The supreme court later affirmed his mandate in May of the same year, settling the dispute and returning stability to his administration.