By Emmanuel Kwada
Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola has emerged victorious as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer for the 2026 gubernatorial election, securing a landslide 919 votes at the party’s primary election held on Tuesday at the Adolak Hall in Osogbo.
The primary, which unfolded amid heightened anticipation and whispers of internal party realignments, saw Adedamola, a seasoned technocrat and former commissioner under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, dominate the contest with an overwhelming mandate.
Official results announced by the PDP’s electoral committee showed Adedamola polling 919 out of the total valid votes cast, far outpacing his sole challenger, whose tally remained in single digits, underscoring the aspirant’s broad-based support within the party’s hierarchy and grassroots machinery.
The path to Adedamola’s triumph was paved by the unexpected resignation of Governor Ademola Adeleke from the race, whose name had been prominently featured on the initial list of contestants submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Adeleke, popularly known as ‘Dancing Governor’ for his vibrant persona, penned a formal letter of withdrawal just 48 hours before the primary, citing personal reasons and a desire to focus on completing his second-term agenda amid Osun’s ongoing developmental push.
In his resignation missive, Adeleke described the decision as “a selfless act to consolidate our party’s unity and propel a fresh vision for Osun’s renaissance.”
“I have always believed in the power of collective progress over individual ambition. My withdrawal is not an end, but a bridge to greater victories for our great party and the good people of Osun,” Adeleke stated in the letter, read aloud by PDP State Chairman, Hon. Soji Adagunodo, at the commencement of proceedings.
The governor’s exit, while shocking to some, was met with thunderous applause from delegates, who viewed it as a masterstroke to avert potential factionalism and anoint a continuity candidate in Adedamola, widely regarded as Adeleke’s political protégé.
Adedamola, 47, brings to the ticket a blend of administrative prowess and youth appeal. A Harvard-trained economist with over two decades in public service, he previously served as Osun’s Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, where he spearheaded budget reforms that boosted the state’s internally generated revenue by 35% in under three years.
Supporters thronged the hall in their numbers, waving PDP banners and chanting “Adebayo to the World,” as the winner dedicated his victory to Adeleke’s “sacrificial leadership.”
“This ticket is not mine alone; it is a testament to Governor Adeleke’s unwavering commitment to Osun’s prosperity. Together, we will build an Osun that works for every citizen – from the farms of Ife to the markets of Iwo,” Adedamola declared in his acceptance speech, flanked by Adeleke and other party stalwarts.
He pledged a manifesto centered on agricultural revolution, youth empowerment, and infrastructure renewal, vowing to “inherit the Adeleke legacy and amplify it tenfold.”
The primary, monitored by INEC officials and civil society observers, proceeded hitch-free despite initial jitters over Adeleke’s withdrawal.
As the dust settles, Adedamola’s emergence positions the PDP for a fierce showdown against APC’s yet-to-be-named candidate in what analysts predict will be one of Nigeria’s most hotly contested state elections.
