The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State deepened on Friday as the State Working Committee (SWC) rejected its purported dissolution by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), insisting that it remains the legitimate and lawful leadership of the party in the state.
In a statement signed by the Osun PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, and obtained in Osogbo, the SWC dismissed the NWC’s decision as invalid, assuring party members that the PDP’s structures in the state were still intact and fully operational.
“The party’s structures in the state remain lawful, intact and fully operational,” the statement read. “No amount of external pressure, unlawful national posturing, or recycled intimidation can invalidate a structure that derives its legitimacy from due process and the collective will of party members in Osun State.”
The committee urged members to remain calm, vigilant and focused, while calling on them to disregard any statements or directives emanating from what it described as “unauthorised quarters, particularly those clearly unknown to law”.
The SWC further reaffirmed its loyalty to the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, stressing that the party in Osun remained united behind his leadership and governance agenda.
“The party remains resolute in its support for the administration of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and in its preparation for electoral contests that are crucial to the wellbeing of our people,” the statement added.
However, the rejection of the dissolution was met with opposition from within the party, as a group known as the Professionals in Osun PDP endorsed the NWC’s decision to constitute a caretaker committee for the state chapter.
In a separate statement signed by its chairman, Sam Segun-Progress, the group described the action of the national leadership as timely and necessary, citing what it called the “actions and inactions” of the outgoing state working committee.
According to the group, the caretaker committee would provide an opportunity for the party in Osun to rebuild and reposition itself ahead of future political engagements.
“With the caretaker committee in place, Osun PDP will begin its rebuilding and reorganisation to position it for the tasks ahead without further distractions,” Segun-Progress said.
He also urged the caretaker committee to reach out to aggrieved party members who he claimed had been sidelined or abandoned by the dissolved executive, and to prioritise reconciliation and grievance resolution to restore a sense of belonging within the party.
PUNCH Online reports that the PDP NWC on Thursday approved the establishment of caretaker committees for Delta, Rivers, Enugu, Imo and Osun states. The decision was announced by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Shan, who said the move was taken on behalf of the National Executive Committee in line with Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP Constitution (2025).
In Osun State, the caretaker committee is to be chaired by Tunde Tijani, with Bamidele Seyi-Abiola as secretary and Lateef Mumini Obide as a member. Other members include Alhaji Sarafa Gbadamosi, Adewoyin Babatunde, Ajileye Wasiu Aderemi and Oluresi Adebanji.
Shan stated that the committees would oversee party affairs in their respective states as provided under Section 21(2)(a-b) of the PDP Constitution, adding that their tenure would not exceed 90 days or last until a new executive committee is elected.
