National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has refuted claims that the party has received a formal notice of resignation from the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Turaki made this known on Tuesday while addressing journalists shortly after the meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja. He emphasized that although Governor Adeleke has the constitutional freedom to remain in or leave any political party, the PDP has yet to receive any official communication from him indicating his exit.
“We have seen on various media platforms a letter alleged to have been written by him, but as of this moment, the party has not received any official notification confirming that Governor Adeleke has resigned his membership,” Turaki explained.
He added that despite the circulating reports, Adeleke’s name remains on the list of aspirants participating in the ongoing governorship primary.
“From the information available to us, Governor Adeleke is still one of the aspirants. If he chooses to withdraw either personally or through a representative that would be captured in the reports from the field,” he said.
Turaki stressed that the PDP draws its strength from the people and not solely from elected officeholders, adding that past defections by governors did not erode the party’s grassroots support.
“If you go to the states where some governors defected, you will discover that the majority of the people did not leave with them. That is the strength we rely on. Our supporters are intact, and by God’s grace, they will demonstrate at the polls that the PDP remains strong and united,” he said.
Providing further updates, Turaki noted that the NWC had reviewed and approved the congresses conducted in Osun to select ad-hoc delegates. He confirmed that the governorship primary in the state was progressing smoothly.
He also disclosed that preparations for the forthcoming local government elections in Anambra State were on track, expressing optimism that the PDP would record a landslide victory.
Speaking on the former PDP governors nominated by President Bola Tinubu for non-career ministerial positions, Turaki said the party had not been informed officially.
“We have not received any communication from them regarding the nominations. If they approach us, we will review the situation on its merit,” he said.
On the state of national security, Turaki called on the Federal Government to immediately overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture to address the rising threats across the country.
He criticized the current structure, which labels governors as chief security officers while granting them no operational control over security agencies within their states.
Meanwhile, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed on Tuesday that Governor Adeleke is expected to formally announce his new political affiliation before December 13, following his resignation from the PDP.
