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A year into Governor Ademola Adeleke's tenure in Osun State, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to grapple with internal strife arising from the contentious 2022 primaries. A recent development involving Adegboyega Oyetola, the opposition figure and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has added another layer of tension within the party.
Despite assurances from Adeleke's supporters that efforts are underway to address internal conflicts, the political landscape remains marked by lingering factional disputes. The winner-takes-all approach of the governor is cited as a hindrance to reconciling competing factions that emerged during the gubernatorial primaries.
Observers note a palpable lack of enthusiasm from some top elders of the party, who, since Adeleke's emergence as the PDP candidate, have maintained a distance from government affairs. Notable figures like Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former national secretary of the PDP, Shuaib Oyedokun, former Deputy National Chairman, Dr Oluwole Alabi, and Tajudeen Oladipo, among others, appear to be at odds with the governor and the current party leadership.
According to a source within the Osun PDP, some party members, particularly elders, harbor grievances against the governor for alleged sidelining. They claim Adeleke operates with a select group of loyalists, excluding them from the decision-making process and rendering their roles negligible.
The aftermath of the 2022 governorship primaries deepened the internal divisions within the PDP, with six former aspirants contesting for the party's ticket. Parallel primaries led by different factions under Wale Ojo and Sunday Bisi further exacerbated tensions, resulting in irreconcilable differences.
The crisis escalated when Olagunsoye Oyinlola faced harassment and attacks from individuals purportedly supporting Governor Adeleke ahead of the primary. The subsequent court declarations confirming Adeleke as the authentic candidate failed to pacify the factions, leaving the party in a state of disarray.
Despite appreciative remarks from Adeleke towards party leaders and promises of an inclusive government, the lingering discontent and perceived exclusion persist. Adeleke acknowledges the need for reconciliation but emphasizes a forward-looking approach.
In a bid to foster unity, the state party chairman, Sunday Bisi, has announced plans to embark on a tour of various local government chapters for direct engagement with members. However, political analysts caution that without substantial and meaningful reconciliation, Adeleke's second-term bid in the 2026 governorship election may encounter significant hurdles. The Osun PDP remains at a crossroads, navigating the delicate task of internal unity to secure its political future.
