PDP Disowns Unauthorized Governorship Election Petition

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has publicly disowned a governorship election petition filed in its name before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The petition challenges the outcome of the August 15, 2026, election.

PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, stated in a press briefing in Abuja that the party did not authorize, sponsor, or endorse the petition. He emphasized that the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, who is responsible for legal proceedings on behalf of the party, did not authorize any individual or lawyer to file the petition.

The tribunal received notices of two petitions, one from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, against Ademola Adeleke, and the second purportedly from the PDP. Following this, APC's counsel, Seyi Oyagbile, filed a motion on September 8, 2026, to withdraw the petition.

PDP challenged Ochai Jacob Otokpa, the lawyer behind the unauthorized petition, to provide proof of authority for filing it.