A fresh political rift has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State as party chieftain Ibraheem Adekunle insists he remains the validly nominated candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general election, despite claims by Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi that he has returned to the PDP and secured the party’s ticket.
The dispute flared after Senator Fadeyi announced his return to the PDP and declared himself the party’s candidate for the senatorial district. However, Adekunle, who claims to have won the PDP primary election, dismissed the development as illegitimate and warned against any attempt to replace his name on the party’s nomination list.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Friday, Adekunle emphasized that the PDP’s nomination process for Osun Central had already been completed in accordance with party and electoral laws. He stated that his name was officially submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and uploaded on the Commission’s nomination portal, confirming his status as the authentic candidate.
Adekunle raised serious questions about the legality of Fadeyi’s return to the PDP, pointing to reports that the senator obtained a waiver from the party on May 8, 2026, before participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary on May 18, 2026. He questioned how Fadeyi could have been a PDP member while simultaneously engaging in APC’s nomination process, including purchasing forms, undergoing screening, and campaigning as an APC aspirant.
“The fundamental issue is that political party membership cannot exist in two parties at the same time,” Adekunle said. He argued that Fadeyi’s actions during the APC primary undermined the integrity of his alleged re-entry into the PDP and cast doubt on the legitimacy of his current candidacy.
Adekunle further noted that by the time Fadeyi contested the APC primary, the PDP had already concluded its nomination process and submitted his name to INEC. He declared that he remains the rightful and legally recognized candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District.
Expressing confidence in the PDP’s leadership, Adekunle stated he trusts the National Working Committee, particularly under the leadership of Chief Nyesom Wike, to uphold due process and protect the outcome of the party’s primary election. He vowed to defend his mandate through every lawful means if any attempt is made to replace his name.
“I will vigorously challenge, through every lawful means available, any attempt to unlawfully replace my name with that of any person who did not emerge from the PDP primary election,” Adekunle declared.
The controversy has added tension to the PDP’s internal dynamics in Osun State, with implications for the party’s unity and electoral strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections. The situation is likely to draw further scrutiny from party stakeholders and electoral observers as the race for the senatorial seat heats up.
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