Osun 2026: Gov Adeleke should act fast as time waits for no man

As Osun State inches steadily toward the 2026 gubernatorial election, one question has grown too loud to ignore: Under which political party will Governor Ademola Adeleke contest? Given the swirl of uncertainties within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the shrinking window ahead of the electoral timetable, the time for silence is over. Strategic clarity is now a necessity.

Defection is not always an act of disloyalty sometimes it is a political necessity. With the PDP engulfed in a deep national leadership crisis, it is understandable that speculation has risen about Governor Adeleke’s political future. When internal conflicts escalate to the point of judicial entanglements, delayed congresses, suspended officers, and stalled primaries, any serious aspirant must reassess their footing.

The Osun PDP recently announced the postponement of its governorship primaries, originally scheduled for December 2nd, 2025, citing the unresolved turmoil at the national level. Despite Governor Adeleke’s complete compliance purchasing and submitting his nomination documents, appearing before the screening committee, and receiving his Certificate of Clearance the party machinery has become incapacitated.

The failure to conduct ward and local government congresses on November 24th and 29th, processes critical for electing delegates, signals a party unable to meet its obligations within INEC’s strict timelines. And elections, regardless of sentiment, operate on the clock.

No matter how loyal a political actor may be, politics ultimately revolves around timing and survival. If the PDP cannot guarantee a legally recognized and INEC-compliant primary before deadlines close, then the Governor’s political plans risk being trapped in procedural limbo. Waiting indefinitely for a crisis-ridden national leadership to find its footing is a gamble too costly for any sitting governor seeking re-election.

The window for primary elections across all parties will not remain open forever. Delays from the PDP should not become self-inflicted setbacks for the Governor. It is noteworthy that Governor Adeleke remains the only aspirant who purchased and submitted nomination documents in line with the party’s timetable. Under normal circumstances, this should give him a smooth sail toward reaffirming his candidacy. But these are not normal times.

With suspensions of key national officers, multiple court cases, and the collapse of essential pre-primary processes, even a sole aspirant can find themselves stranded without a valid nomination.
If the PDP cannot present a unified leadership recognized by INEC, the party risks forfeiting its ability to conduct legitimate primaries—leaving Adeleke in a political vacuum he cannot afford.

The People of Osun Are Eagerly Waiting for Clarity

Beyond party politics, the good people of Osun want to know where Governor Adeleke’s fate lies. They want to align their efforts, mobilize their structures, and work unanimously toward his re-election. Cross-carpeting is constitutional, and he has every right to do so if the situation demands it.

More importantly, the people of Osun are willing indeed yearning to hear from him so they can synergize their electoral input and ensure his emergence in 2026. For them, crossing to another party is not the issue; what counts most is their positive and united response toward securing his victory. At the moment, the political climate among supporters has been scattered and shaken by the lingering national crisis in the PDP. The uncertainty has left the grassroots confused, anxious, and unsure of the next move.
If Governor Adeleke is not planning to move to any party, he should let the people know in time. Delay is dangerous. The political terrain waits for no one.

The stakes are high, not just for Governor Adeleke but for Osun State’s political stability. As uncertainty deepens, clarity becomes a leadership obligation. The Governor has every right to await a resolution within his party, but prudence demands that this waiting has limits. He must protect his mandate, his political structure, and his supporters from the consequences of indecision.
Other political parties are watching. Their primary windows are still open, but not indefinitely. A last-minute scramble benefits no one.

Time Is No Longer a Luxury

Governor Adeleke stands at a critical crossroads. His loyalty to the PDP is evident, but loyalty must not become political self-sabotage. If the national crisis is not resolved in time, and if INEC-compliant primaries cannot be guaranteed, then defection may not only be justifiable it may become unavoidable.
Whatever decision he makes, he must make it soon. Because in politics, timing is everything and the clock is ticking.