The factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party has yet to receive any official communication from ‘Ademola Adeleke’, governor of Osun, concerning his resignation.
Adeleke announced on Tuesday that he had resigned his PDP membership, citing the party’s prolonged internal crisis.
Speaking with journalists after the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja, Turaki noted that Adeleke has the constitutional freedom to decide whether to stay in or leave the party.
He explained that the PDP only became aware of the resignation through media reports and has not received a formal letter from the governor.
“We have seen online a letter said to be from him resigning from our party, but I tell you that we have not, up to this moment, received any formal indication that he has left,” Turaki said.
Turaki added that Adeleke’s name remains on the list of aspirants seeking the governorship ticket in Osun.
He said the party will rely on reports from officials at the primary to determine whether the governor has voluntarily withdrawn or is still in the contest.
“As far as we are concerned, even if the letter circulating online is genuine, Gov. Adeleke, like any Nigerian, has the freedom to associate as he wishes,” Turaki said.
He stressed that the PDP’s real strength lies with its supporters, not elected leaders who decide to defect.
According to him, governors leaving the party in some states has not weakened its grassroots backing.
“Our people have remained with us, and by God’s grace, when elections come, they will show that the PDP is still solid,” he said.
Turaki said the NWC has reviewed and approved the congresses conducted in Osun to select ad hoc delegates.
He also said preparations for the upcoming local government election in Anambra were assessed, adding that the party expects a strong showing.
Turaki noted that former PDP governors nominated by President Bola Tinubu for non-career ambassadorial positions have not informed the party.
“If they approach us, we will consider their communication on its merit,” he said.
Commenting on rising insecurity, Turaki said the federal government must urgently reassess Nigeria’s security structure, arguing that governors cannot be called chief security officers without actual control over security operations in their states.
“We call on the federal government to brace up and begin a comprehensive review of the security framework in this country,” he said.
On Tuesday, Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola emerged as the PDP governorship candidate for the Osun 2026 election, securing 919 votes at the primary held in the Adolak Hall, Osogbo.