Personal Ambition Fuelled Adeleke’s Decamping from PDP, Says Party Insider

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a development that has stirred controversy within the party.

According to some insiders, his exit appears to be driven more by personal political interests than by concern for the party’s welfare. A PDP chieftain, Umar Sani, has accused Governor Adeleke of attempting to block the party from presenting a candidate in the upcoming governorship election. Speaking to ARISE NEWS on Friday, Sani argued that the governor’s maneuvers are designed primarily to protect his own political future rather than safeguard the party’s interests. "Governor Adeleke does not want PDP to field a candidate. He believes there is an issue within the PDP whose signature will be recognised by INEC, and so forth,” Sani stated The comments come shortly after Adeleke officially quit the PDP, citing ongoing leadership crises at the national level as the reason for his resignation. In a letter dated November 4, 2025, addressed to the PDP chairman of Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government Area, Adeleke expressed gratitude for the party’s support throughout his political career, which spans from his tenure as Senator representing Osun West to his current role as Governor. While Adeleke maintains that his departure was motivated by concerns over the party’s internal instability, critics argue that it reflects a growing trend of factionalism and self-interest within PDP. The party has been embroiled in disputes over national leadership recognition, and Adeleke’s resignation is seen as a symptom of these unresolved tensions. The timing of the governor’s resignation is politically significant, coming as PDP prepares to select candidates for the 2026 Osun off-cycle governorship election. Observers note that Adeleke’s exit could potentially weaken PDP’s chances by creating uncertainty over candidate selection and party unity. Umar Sani’s remarks suggest that Adeleke’s actions may have been strategically calculated to influence the electoral process in his favour. Reports indicate that Adeleke is expected to join another political platform before December 13, 2025, with the Accord Party reportedly expressing interest in welcoming him. His choice of a new party could reshape the dynamics of the 2026 governorship election, potentially consolidating opposition support while challenging PDP’s position in the state PDP leadership now faces the urgent task of resolving internal conflicts to prevent further defections and maintain credibility. The party’s ability to reconcile factions, stabilize its leadership, and retain voter confidence will be critical in the coming months Adeleke’s resignation underscores the broader tension in Nigerian politics between individual ambition and party loyalty. As political figures navigate personal interests and party expectations, the outcomes often have far-reaching consequences for electoral strategies, voter sentiment, and overall political stability. As the countdown to the 2026 Osun governorship election continues, attention remains fixed on Adeleke’s next move and PDP’s response. The decisions made in the coming days are likely to determine not only the party’s electoral prospects in Osun State but also its wider influence in the national political landscape.