Adebayo Adedamola on Tuesday emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Osun 2026 election, following the withdrawal and recent resignation of Governor Ademola Adeleke from the party.
Adedamola secured 919 votes out of 957 cast at the primary held in Osogbo, the state capital.
Announcing the result, the chairman of the primary committee, Humphrey Abba, said:
“Void votes 20. We told you earlier that one of the aspirants withdrew. The candidate that got the remaining votes is Adebayo Adedamola with 919 votes and stands elected and returned.”
Earlier reports indicated that despite his resignation from the PDP, Adeleke’s name still appeared on the ballot paper. Delegates were, however, informed that any votes cast for him “would amount to waste.”
The voting process began shortly after accreditation ended at 11:35 a.m., according to the committee’s secretary, Sunday Solarin. Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission and a delegation from the PDP national headquarters observed the exercise.
Security was tight, with operatives of the DSS, police, and NSCDC stationed at strategic points around the venue.
Adeleke’s resignation letter—dated November 4, 2025 and addressed to the Ward 2 Chairman in his Ede North constituency—cited ongoing crises within the PDP’s national leadership as the reason for his departure. His spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed the development.
PDP leaders in Osun had recently said Adeleke might no longer be interested in seeking the party’s ticket for the 2026 election, though his position could change if the party resolves its internal dispute and complies with INEC timelines.
INEC’s schedule for the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship poll requires political parties to submit the names of their candidates on or before December 15.