Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party following what he described as an escalating crisis within the party’s national leadership.
Adeleke confirmed his departure in a letter dated 4 November and addressed to the chairman of Ward 2 in Sagba Abogunde, Ede North local government. The resignation was publicly shared on X on Monday.
In the letter, Adeleke wrote, “Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.” He added, “I thank the Peoples Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a senator (representing Osun West) and as governor of Osun State under the Peoples Democratic Party.”
His spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, issued a statement confirming the development and restating that the governor had communicated his decision formally.
Adeleke did not reveal the political party he intends to join next, leaving questions around his platform for the 2026 Osun governorship election scheduled for 8 August.
The Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, had warned earlier that the governor might withdraw from the party’s ticket race if the national leadership crisis remained unresolved in a manner recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Osun chapter recently cancelled its December 2 governorship primary due to the lingering dispute, although the Kabiru Turaki led national working committee insisted the exercise would still hold as planned.
Adeleke becomes the latest governor to exit the major opposition party this year, following the defections of Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Peter Mbah of Enugu and Douye Diri of Bayelsa.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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