The ongoing factional national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered major blows as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), some Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and his Taraba counterpart, Agbu Kefas boycotted the convention.
Also, delegates from Kebbi State, the home state of the sole candidate for the national chairmanship aspirant, Dr. Tanimu Turaki as well boycotted the convention.
The Governor Seyi Makinde led faction of the PDP decided to go on with the convention despite two substantive Federal High Court judgements that restrained the party from going ahead with the convention citing noncompliance with extant electoral laws, INEC electoral guidelines and the party constitution.
Four governors, Ahmadu Fintri of Adamawa State, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and the host, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State are, however present at the convention. Also, some members of the National Assembly led by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro are present at the convention.
Announcing their boycott, the Kebbi State PDP chapter, through a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Sani Dododo, said that the PDP in the state does not recognise Turaki as a legitimate member of the party, recalling that he was suspended by his Nasarawa 1 Ward in April 2023 for alleged gross misconduct, anti-party activities, and failure to pay membership dues.
Turaki’s suspension also included seven others, among them former governorship candidate Gen. Bello S. Yaki (retd)
According to a petition dated October 25, 2025, and addressed to the chairman of the screening committee for the convention, the Kebbi PDP formally rejected Turaki’s nomination. The petition was signed by the state chairman, Usman Bello Suru, and secretary, Abubakar Bawa Kalgo, alongside members of the State Working and Non-Working Committees.
The absence of Governor Ademola Adeleke who recently purchased nomination and expression of interest forms ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State is instructive. His absence further casts serious doubts on the validity of the outcome of the convention.
