PDP Draws Line Between Party and Petition Challenging Adeleke in Osun

The Peoples Democratic Party has drawn a clear line between itself and a petition challenging the election of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The party said the petition, filed in its name, was not authorised by its leadership.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said the party had neither filed a petition against Adeleke nor directed any individual to do so on its behalf.

The dispute concerns the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, which produced Adeleke as governor.

Mohammed said the party was taking steps through its legal department to formally withdraw itself from the proceedings.

He based the party’s position on the provisions of the PDP constitution governing litigation.

According to him, only the National Legal Adviser has the authority to initiate legal proceedings on behalf of the party, subject to the constitution and applicable law.

He said the petition in question did not receive the approval, support or authority of the National Legal Adviser.

The PDP subsequently urged the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to take note of its position.

The party also mentioned INEC, Accord Party, Governor Adeleke and security agencies among those expected to recognise its disassociation from Election Petition No. EPT/OS/GOV/02/2026.

The PDP further called for an investigation into how its name became connected to the petition.

The controversy has shifted attention from the substance of the election challenge to the question of whether the party itself authorised the legal action.

Mohammed said the PDP would not allow its name, identity or legal personality to be used by individuals for purposes that contradict its official position.

The party’s legal department is therefore expected to pursue the formal withdrawal of the PDP from the suit.

The development provides a significant clarification from the opposition party as legal activity continues around the Osun governorship election.

Rather than endorse the petition, the PDP has publicly rejected it and described it as unauthorised.

The party’s intervention also underscores the distinction between an individual legal action and litigation properly instituted on behalf of a political party.

For the PDP, the authority of its National Legal Adviser is central to determining whether a case can legitimately be presented as a party action.

The party has now made its position clear and is seeking to have its name formally removed from the disputed proceedings.