The political landscape of Osun State witnessed a dramatic turn of events leading up to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary for the August 8, 2026, gubernatorial election, culminating in the emergence of Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola as the party’s flag bearer. The primary was held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Adolak Hall in Osogbo, amidst significant internal party turmoil and a high-profile resignation.

Central to the pre-primary drama was Governor Ademola Adeleke, who had previously been the sole aspirant cleared by the party for the governorship ticket. However, citing an unresolved crisis within the national leadership of the PDP, Governor Adeleke announced his resignation from the party with immediate effect. This decision, conveyed in a letter dated November 4, 2025, and addressed to the PDP chairman of Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government Area, was made public on Monday, December 1, less than 24 hours before the scheduled primary. In his resignation letter, Adeleke expressed gratitude to the PDP for the opportunities to serve as Senator for Osun West and as Governor of Osun State, but he did not specify his next political move. This departure marked a significant shift for Adeleke, who had previously dismissed rumors of leaving the PDP, having stated in July, "I was elected on the platform of the PDP, and so shall I remain in the party. I’m not going anywhere."

The state chapter of the PDP faced conflicting directives regarding the primary. Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, initially declared on Monday, December 1, that the primary could not hold as scheduled due to the national leadership crisis, including the suspension of key officers responsible for congresses and primaries. Bisi also indicated that Governor Adeleke might no longer be interested in seeking the party’s nomination unless the internal crisis was resolved within INEC’s timelines. However, the PDP national secretariat, through its National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, insisted that the primary would proceed as planned on December 2, 2025, at Atlantis Multipurpose Hall, Ring Road, Osogbo. This divergence highlighted deep divisions between the state and national organs of the party.

Despite the controversies and Governor Adeleke’s resignation, party delegates converged on Tuesday morning for the primary election under tight security. The electoral committee, led by Humphrey Abba and including members like Barr. Marc Jacob, Chief Sanya Atofarati, Scholastical Kenebi, Anene Azubuike, Splendour Josephine, and secretary Sunday Solarin, oversaw the exercise. Curiously, Governor Adeleke’s name still appeared on the ballot paper alongside Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, despite his formal exit from the party. Sunday Solarin, secretary of the electoral committee, explained that Adeleke’s resignation was announced too late on Monday night to effect corrections on the already prepared ballots.

At the conclusion of the primary, Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, also known as FRYO, emerged victorious. He secured an impressive 919 votes out of 957 valid accredited votes, clinching the PDP ticket for the August 2026 governorship election. Humphrey Abba announced the results, stating that 20 votes were invalid and acknowledging the withdrawal of one aspirant. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed August 8, 2026, as the date for the Osun governorship election, with December 15 as the deadline for political parties to submit their candidates’ names.

The political drama also garnered attention from outside circles, with Afrobeats superstar Davido, Governor Adeleke’s nephew, reacting to the news on X with a simple post, "Jeje…", which many interpreted as a call for calm. Adeleke’s resignation and the subsequent primary outcome are expected to trigger significant realignments within Osun’s political landscape as the PDP now scrambles to consolidate its position with its new candidate ahead of the crucial 2026 gubernatorial contest.