Adebayo Adedamola on Tuesday emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Osun 2026 election.

Adedamola polled 919 votes out of 957 cast in the primary held in Osogbo, the state capital.

The chairman of the primary, Humphrey Abba, announced the result, stating, ”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.”

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that despite announcing his resignation from the party, the name of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke appeared on the ballot paper for the PDP governorship primary.

The Secretary of the Committee in charge of the primary, Sunday Solarin, had announced the start of voting shortly after accreditation of delegates ended around 11:35 a.m.

Solarin said Adeleke and Adebayo Adedamola were the two aspirants seeking the party’s ticket, adding that Adeleke had already resigned from the party.

He further explained that votes cast for Adeleke would “eventually amount to waste,” urging delegates to follow instructions during the voting process.

Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and a committee led by Humphrey Abba from the PDP national headquarters were present at the venue.

There was also a heavy security presence, with operatives from the Department of State Security, the police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps stationed at the entrance and exit.

The chairman of the primary committee announced the commencement of proceedings at exactly 11:07 a.m., as delegates checked their names before voting.

Earlier, Adeleke had announced his resignation from the PDP.

His resignation letter, dated November 4, 2025, was addressed to PDP Ward 2 Chairman Sagba Abogunde of Ede North Local Government. A copy was obtained by PUNCH Online in the early hours of Tuesday.

The letter partly read, ”Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.

“I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party.”

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed the development.

In a recent PUNCH Online report, it was stated that the PDP leadership in Osun State said Adeleke may no longer be interested in seeking the party’s nomination for the 2026 governorship election.

However, his decision could change if the crises within the party are resolved, recognised by INEC, and concluded within the Commission’s timeline for the Osun poll.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi said the ongoing crises had made it impossible to conduct the governorship primary as earlier scheduled for December 2.

According to the timetable released by INEC detailing activities towards the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship poll, parties fielding candidates have until December 15 to submit the names of their flagbearers. (PUNCH)

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