Adebayo Adedamola Clinches PDP Governorship Ticket as Adeleke’s Name Lingers on Ballot
A dramatic twist played out at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Osun State on Tuesday as Adebayo Adedamola emerged the party’s flagbearer for the 2026 gubernatorial election, despite the lingering controversy over Governor Ademola Adeleke’s name appearing on the ballot after his resignation from the party.
The primary, held in Osogbo, saw Adedamola secure a sweeping victory, polling 919 votes out of 957 valid ballots. Announcing the results, chairman of the electoral committee, Humphrey Abba, disclosed that 20 votes were void, adding that one of the aspirants had earlier withdrawn from the race.
“The candidate that got the remaining votes is Adebayo Adedamola with 919 votes and stands elected and returned,” Abba declared.
Earlier, tension filled the venue as delegates expressed surprise that Governor Adeleke’s name remained printed on the ballot paper despite his publicly announced resignation from the PDP. Officials clarified that printing had been concluded before the governor’s decision became official.
The outcome now positions Adedamola as the party’s standard-bearer heading into what promises to be a fiercely contested 2026 governorship race, with analysts predicting internal reconciliation efforts in the PDP following the latest developments.