By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the Court of Appeal judgment affirming the nomination of its governorship candidate for Saturday’s Osun State election, but has resolved to support the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, upheld the nomination of Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola as its candidate for the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
According to the party, the appellate court held that the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP validly conducted its governorship primary, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and directed the electoral body to immediately include the party’s logo on the ballot.
The PDP said the court further ruled that although the uploading of candidates through INEC’s nomination portal was an administrative process, it could not override the statutory requirement already fulfilled by the party through the forwarding of its candidate’s name to the commission.
The party, however, accused INEC of deliberately frustrating its participation in the election by refusing to recognise its leadership and withholding the access codes required for the uploading of candidates.
It described the judgment as a vindication of its position but argued that the late resolution of the dispute had effectively denied its candidate the opportunity to campaign ahead of the election.
“Though justice has finally been done, in this case the grant of justice is akin to a denial as there is no opportunity for our candidate to undertake campaigns in preparation for the elections,” the statement said.
The PDP also accused INEC of partisanship, alleging that the commission had worked to weaken opposition parties in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite the favourable court judgment, the party said its Interim National Working Committee, after consultations with stakeholders, had resolved to support Governor Adeleke in Saturday’s election.
The PDP said Adeleke, a former member of the party, left following what it described as a leadership crisis allegedly fuelled by external interference.
It consequently directed its members and supporters across Osun State to vote for Adeleke, while urging them to participate peacefully in the election and ensure that their votes count.
The party also called on Nigerians to resist any attempt to undermine the democratic process, insisting that the outcome of the election must reflect the freely expressed will of the electorate.
