The Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District in the 2027 general election, Dr. Ibraheem Adekunle, has dismissed what he described as attempts to replace him, insisting that he remains the party’s authentic and legally nominated candidate.
The development followed claims by Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, who recently returned to the PDP after losing the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary, that he had emerged as the PDP’s candidate for the district. The claim has sparked fresh controversy within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Documents exclusively obtained by West Trybe showed that the PDP issued Adekunle a Certificate of Return dated June 24, 2026, confirming him as the party’s consensus candidate for Osun Central Senatorial District. The documents also indicated that the party notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of his nomination in line with the Electoral Act.
West Trybe further gathered that the PDP conducted its Osun Central senatorial primary on July 18, 2026, at which Adekunle again emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2027 National Assembly election.
Reacting to reports suggesting he could be substituted, Adekunle maintained that his nomination was validly secured through the party’s lawful processes.
“My name was duly submitted by the PDP to the Independent National Electoral Commission after the primary election and was subsequently uploaded on the commission’s nomination portal in accordance with the law. I therefore remain the authentic and validly nominated PDP candidate for Osun Central Senatorial District,” he said.
He warned that he would challenge any attempt to replace his name through all legal means available.
“I therefore put all concerned on notice that I will vigorously defend my mandate and challenge, through every lawful means available, any attempt to unlawfully replace my name with that of any person who did not emerge from the PDP primary election,” Luqman stated.
Questioning Fadeyi’s eligibility, Luqman said the senator allegedly obtained a PDP waiver on May 8, 2026, but still contested the APC senatorial primary held 10 days later, raising legal questions about his party membership.
“It has been claimed that Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi obtained a waiver from the Peoples Democratic Party on May 8, 2026. However, available records indicate that he subsequently participated in the APC senatorial primary election held on May 18, 2026, for the same office.
“This raises a fundamental question: if he had already become a PDP member through the alleged waiver on May 8, under what legal or constitutional basis did he purchase APC nomination forms, submit APC nomination documents, undergo APC screening, campaign as an APC aspirant, and eventually participate in the APC primary election ten days later? Political party membership cannot exist in two parties at the same time,” he said.
West Trybe learnt that Fadeyi, who represents Osun Central in the Senate, defected from the PDP to the APC in July 2025 alongside four other National Assembly members from Osun State and sought the APC ticket for re-election.
Records of the APC primary obtained by West Trybe showed that the exercise, held on May 19, 2026, was won by Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN) with 26,655 votes, while Fadeyi polled 13,138 votes to finish second. Other contestants included Yomi Ogunwale, who scored 2,925 votes; Akintunde Adegboye, who received 342 votes; and Olu Fakeye, who polled 62 votes.
Following the outcome, Fadeyi rejected the results, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the APC primary before later returning to the PDP.
Adekunle expressed confidence in the leadership of the PDP, saying he believed the party would uphold due process and respect the outcome of its primary election.
“I have absolute confidence in the National Working Committee of our great party and in the leadership of Chief Nyesom Wike. I believe they will uphold the rule of law, respect due process and protect the sanctity of the party’s primary election,” he added.
