Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the "current crisis" within the national leadership of the opposition party.
The resignation, which became public Monday night, signals a major shift in the political landscape of the southwestern Nigerian state ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed that the governor’s resignation letter was submitted on Nov. 4, 2025, to the PDP Ward Chairman for Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State.
"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," the letter, stated.
Adeleke, who was elected governor in 2022 on the PDP platform, thanked the party for the opportunities provided.
"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 letter concluded.
The resignation comes amid ongoing internal wrangling and leadership disputes at the national level of the PDP. Adeleke is the latest of several state governors to defect from the opposition party in recent months.
The move is particularly significant as Adeleke is widely expected to seek a second term in office during the Osun State governorship election slated for next August. The Governor did not immediately disclose which political party he plans to join, though there has been speculation that he may be considering the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports had previously indicated that a move to the APC was being weighed by the governor but faced resistance from local APC chapters in Osun State.
His departure from the PDP is expected to cause a significant shake-up in the state's political dynamics and potentially set the stage for a new alliance ahead of the 2026 polls. The PDP in Osun State has not yet issued an official statement regarding the governor's resignation.
