A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has gone ahead with its governorship primary election in Osogbo, even though Senator Ademola Adeleke had earlier withdrawn from the race. The group insisted that the exercise must continue to keep the party’s internal democratic process alive. This decision deepened the tension within the party, which has been battling internal disagreements for several weeks.

Party leaders in the faction explained that Adeleke’s exit should not stop the primary since other aspirants remain interested in contesting. They argued that the party constitution gives them the right to proceed, especially when the national leadership has not officially suspended the exercise. Supporters of the group turned out in large numbers to show solidarity.

However, stakeholders loyal to Adeleke strongly disagreed, describing the primary as illegal and unnecessary. They maintained that the PDP must resolve its internal issues before selecting a governorship candidate. According to them, holding a primary under a divided structure will only weaken the party ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

Political observers say the split could affect the party’s ability to present a united front in the coming months. They warned that if the PDP fails to reconcile its factions quickly, it may struggle to compete against stronger and more organized opponents. The Osogbo primary, they believe, highlights deeper cracks that must be addressed for the party to remain relevant in Osun politics.