Kabiru Turaki, factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claims the party has not received any formal notification of Ademola Adeleke’s resignation as governor of Osun.
Adeleke resigned from the PDP on Tuesday, citing the party’s persistent turmoil as the reason.
Speaking to press following the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja, Turaki stated that Adeleke has the constitutional right to resign or remain in the party.
He stated that the PDP just learnt of the resignation through media reports and has yet to receive an official message from the governor.
“We have seen online a letter said to be from him resigning from our party, but I tell you that we have not, up to this moment, received any formal indication that he has left,” Turaki said.
According to the factional chair, Adeleke’s name is still on the list of contenders running for governor of Osun.
He also stated that the party will rely on reports from its officials throughout the primary to establish if the governor had voluntarily withdrew or remained in the contest.
“As far as we are concerned, even if the letter circulating online is genuine, Gov. Adeleke, like any Nigerian, has the freedom to associate as he wishes,” Turaki said.
Turaki stated that the PDP’s power lay with its fans, not elected politicians who quit the party.
He stated that governors’ defections in several states did not materially reduce the party’s grassroots support.
“Our people have remained with us, and by God’s grace, when elections come, they will show that the PDP is still solid,” he said.
Turaki stated that the NWC evaluated and authorised the congresses staged in Osun to elect ad hoc delegates.
He also stated that preparations for the Anambra local government election have been reviewed, and the party is optimistic of performing well in the polls.
Turaki stated that previous PDP governors nominated by President Bola Tinubu for non-career ambassadorial positions had not notified the party.
“If they approach us, we will consider their communication on its merit,” he said.
Turaki stated that due to the country’s rising insecurity, the federal government must promptly reassess Nigeria’s security architecture.
He stated that governors cannot be referred to as chief security officers if they have no authority over security activities in their respective states.
“We call on the federal government to brace up and begin a comprehensive review of the security framework in this country,” he said.
Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola was declared the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate for the Osun 2026 election on Tuesday after receiving 919 votes in the primary held in Osogbo’s Adolak Hall.
