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By Tracy Moses
Members of the Osun State caucus in the House of Representatives have formally rejected the purported PDP governorship primaries in Osun State, accusing Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of political interference.
The controversy arose after reports suggested that Adebayo Adedamola Fryo was declared the PDP governorship candidate following a primary allegedly influenced by Governor Makinde.
The PDP’s internal guidelines require a structured candidate selection process, including the election of ward ad-hoc delegates and national delegates, before any primary can be considered valid. Any deviation from these procedures is null and void under the party’s constitution.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, six PDP lawmakers, Bamidele Salam, Mudashiru Lukman Alani, Akanni Clement Ademola, Adewale Moruf Adebayo, Adetunji Abidemi Olusoji, and Oladebo Lanre Omoleye, expressed disappointment in Governor Makinde and urged him to refrain from actions that could threaten Osun State’s peace or destabilize its political environment.
The lawmakers condemned the alleged primaries, claiming they were orchestrated with “thugs and political jobbers” brought from Ibadan, Oyo State. According to the caucus, these actions portray Governor Makinde as “a treacherous character whose desperation for regional political influence has driven him to untoward conduct.”
The statement reiterated that valid primaries require adherence to established party procedures, and rejected the results declaring Fryo as the PDP governorship candidate for 2026. The caucus also warned Fryo against presenting himself as a candidate, describing it as “criminal impersonation” and a provocation to law-abiding PDP members in Osun.
While criticizing Governor Makinde for “political immaturity and blind ambition,” the lawmakers praised the sitting Governor of Osun State for inclusive leadership and adherence to party norms.
Reaffirming their commitment as party leaders and national stakeholders, the Osun caucus called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “discard the phony results” and ensure that candidate selection complies with both the PDP Constitution and the Electoral Act.