Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola Crowned PDP Flagbearer for Osun 2026 Governorship Amid Party Tensions

Osogbo, December 3, 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events marked by internal discord within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), businessman and philanthropist Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, popularly known as FRYO, has emerged victorious in the party’s gubernatorial primaries for the 2026 Osun State election. The announcement came late Monday evening, positioning the 45-year-old Osun indigene as the frontrunner to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 2026 polls.

Adebayo, who garnered overwhelming support from delegates at the primary held at the party’s state secretariat in Osogbo, secured the ticket unopposed after several aspirants, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, withdrew or boycotted the process. Sources close to the election described Adebayo’s campaign as a masterclass in grassroots mobilization, leveraging his reputation as a youth advocate and economic reformer to rally over 80% of the 1,200 delegates. His victory speech emphasized unity and development, vowing to “build an Osun where every citizen thrives, free from the shadows of factionalism.”

The primaries were overshadowed by Governor Adeleke’s high-profile absence, stemming from ongoing leadership crises within the Osun PDP chapter. Adeleke, who had earlier signaled intentions to defect to another party amid disputes with the National Working Committee (NWC), did not participate despite his name remaining on the ballot initially. Party insiders attribute the smooth conduct of the vote to the NWC’s intervention, which sidelined state executives loyal to Adeleke and ensured a consensus-driven outcome favoring Adebayo.

Born and raised in Osun, Adebayo brings a fresh perspective to the race, with a background in real estate and community development initiatives that have endeared him to urban and rural voters alike. His platform centers on job creation, agricultural revival, and infrastructure overhaul—issues he claims have been neglected under successive administrations. “Osun deserves a governor who listens to the people, not one entangled in endless power struggles,” Adebayo declared, drawing applause from supporters who see him as a bridge between the party’s old guard and younger demographics.

As the dust settles, questions linger about the PDP’s cohesion heading into 2026. Adeleke’s potential move to the Accord Party could splinter the vote, but Adebayo’s camp remains optimistic, citing his broad appeal as a stabilizing force. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to comment, but the primaries’ outcome sets the stage for a fiercely contested election in the Southwest state.

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