PDP Fed The Monster That Consumed Adeleke, Says Ini Ememobong

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has blamed the party’s prolonged internal crisis for the defection of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying the PDP “fed the monster that eventually consumed him.

Speaking during a televised interview, Ememobong said Adeleke’s departure was not an impulsive decision but the outcome of years of unresolved disputes within the party. He explained that the PDP failed to act decisively at critical moments, allowing internal disagreements to snowball into a destructive force that pushed the governor out. According to him, what started as minor misunderstandings between factions after Adeleke assumed office gradually evolved into full-blown hostility, worsened by leadership struggles, conflicting interests, and unresolved grievances from the party’s last convention. He noted that instead of applying disciplinary measures or timely interventions, the party often chose dialogue even when firmness was needed — a choice he said enabled the crisis to grow uncontrollably Ememobong argued that many individuals who later destabilised the Osun PDP were empowered by the party. “We created the actors who turned around to weaken the party’s unity, and when they grew too powerful, the environment became unbearable for the governor,” he said Governor Adeleke resigned from the PDP in a letter dated November 4, 2025, addressed to his ward chairman in Ede North, citing irreconcilable differences and deepening internal divisions. Days later, he formally joined the Accord Party, where he intends to seek re-election in 2026. His defection is regarded as one of the most consequential exits the PDP has suffered ahead of a heated election season. Adeleke’s move has intensified debates about the PDP’s internal health, especially as the party grapples with multiple defections and leadership tussles across several states. Political observers warn that the loss of a sitting governor in a key South-West state could further weaken the PDP’s electoral strength if urgent reforms are not undertaken. Ememobong, however, insisted that Adeleke’s exit should serve as a wake-up call. He urged party leaders to confront long-standing structural weaknesses, rebuild trust among warring blocs, and strengthen conflict-resolution mechanisms before more high-profile members leave. The PDP has begun initiating reconciliation processes in states affected by recent defections, though insiders admit that rebuilding internal cohesion will require stronger leadership and faster decision-making. Meanwhile, Adeleke’s alignment with the Accord Party has set the stage for a significant political realignment in Osun ahead of the 2026 governorship election. Observers anticipate heightened political activities in the coming months, as the ruling party and opposition groups reposition themselves for a fiercely contested race.