Osun State caucus in the House of Representatives has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary reportedly held in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the lawmakers described the exercise as illegal, fraudulent, and the product of external interference. They also accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of orchestrating the process using “thugs and political jobbers” allegedly brought from Ibadan into Osun.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by six PDP federal lawmakers — Bamidele Salam, Mudashiru Lukman Alani, Akanni Clement Ademola, Adewale Moruf Adebayo, Adetunji Abidemi Olusoji, and Oladebo Lanre Omoleye — the caucus formally dissociated itself from the primary.
They warned Governor Makinde to desist from actions they say could threaten peace or destabilise Osun’s political environment.
Describing the exercise as a “purported governorship primary,” the lawmakers said Makinde’s alleged involvement reflected a desperation for regional political control. They insisted that the PDP has clear guidelines for primaries, including the proper election of ward and national delegates, without which no valid primary can be conducted.
“We unequivocally reject the fraudulent conduct of a purported primary which threw up one Adebayo Adedamola Fryo as the PDP candidate in the 2026 elections,” the caucus said.
“We equally warn the said Fryo not to parade himself as the party’s candidate, as such an act would amount to criminal impersonation and provoke the peaceful and law-abiding leaders and members of the PDP in Osun State.”
The lawmakers further criticised what they called Governor Makinde’s “blind ambition and political immaturity,” urging him to remember the Yoruba proverb that a man accused of theft should not dance near villagers’ chickens at night. They argued that while Makinde may have silenced dissent within the Oyo PDP, he must not “export such impunity” to Osun, which they say has a governor who carries stakeholders along.
Reaffirming their role as party leaders and national stakeholders, the caucus pledged to uphold the Constitution and the Electoral Act. They also called on INEC to disregard what they described as “phony results” and comply strictly with the law when recognising candidates for the 2026 governorship election.
Meanwhile, Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola was declared winner of the PDP primary held on Tuesday at Adolak Hall, Osogbo. He scored 919 votes to clinch the ticket after former governor Ademola Adeleke — initially listed in the contest — resigned from the party on the eve of the exercise.
