Adeleke’s Resignation Not Official, Says PDP Factional Chair Turaki

 

Factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, yesterday said the party has not received any formal notice confirming Governor Ademola Adeleke’s resignation from the party.

Adeleke had on Tuesday announced his exit from the PDP, citing the prolonged internal crisis rocking the party.

But speaking with reporters after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, Turaki said the leadership only learnt of the development through media reports.

According to him, Adeleke, like every Nigerian, is constitutionally free to join or quit any political association, but the PDP has yet to be officially notified.

“We have seen a letter circulating online, purportedly from him, resigning from our party. However, I must state clearly that, up to this moment, no formal communication has reached us,” he said.

Turaki maintained that the governor’s name remains on the list of aspirants seeking the PDP governorship ticket in Osun State.

He added that the party would rely on reports from its officials at the primary election to confirm whether Adeleke voluntarily withdrew or remained in the race.

“As far as we are concerned, even if the online letter is authentic, Governor Adeleke has the freedom to associate as he wishes,” he said.

The factional chairman stressed that the strength of the PDP lies in its supporters rather than officeholders who choose to defect, noting that previous defections had not weakened the party’s grassroots base.

“Our people have remained with us, and by God’s grace, elections will show that the PDP is still solid,” he added.

Turaki disclosed that the NWC has ratified the congresses conducted in Osun to elect ad hoc delegates ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.

He also said preparations for the forthcoming local government election in Anambra were reviewed and expressed confidence in the party’s prospects.

On former PDP governors nominated by President Bola Tinubu for ambassadorial roles, Turaki said none has formally communicated with the party. “If they approach us, we will deal with it on its merit,” he said.

On insecurity, he urged the Federal Government to urgently overhaul the country’s security architecture, describing as unacceptable a situation where governors are called chief security officers but lack operational control.

Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola had earlier emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate for Osun State after polling 919 votes at the primary held in Osogbo.