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Says I remain authentic PDP candidate for Osun Central
The defection of Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi representing Osun Central Senatorial District from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party might have hit a rock as Dr. Ibraheem Adekunle Luqman warned against any attempt to unlawfully substitute his name for the 2027 general election.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Friday, Dr. Adekunle reaffirmed that he remains the validly nominated PDP candidate for the district, having emerged through a duly conducted primary election.
He stated that he would not hesitate to seek judicial intervention should any individual or group attempt to tamper with his mandate.
His reaction follows media reports that Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, who recently returned to the PDP from the APC, declared his intention to contest the 2027 senatorial election on the PDP platform.
According to Dr. Adekunle, the facts surrounding Senator Fadeyi’s recent political activities raise serious legal and procedural questions that demand answers.
“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 be dual. These are issues that require a clear legal explanation,” he added.
Dr. Adekunle further noted that by the time Senator Fadeyi participated in the APC primary, the PDP had already completed all stages of its nomination process for the Osun Central Senatorial District, which included sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, screening of aspirants, conduct of the party primary election, declaration of the winner, and submission of the successful candidate’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He maintained that he was the only aspirant who lawfully participated in the PDP primary election and that his nomination followed every constitutional and statutory requirement laid down by the party and the Electoral Act.
“My name was duly submitted by the PDP to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 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 the Osun Central Senatorial District.”
Dr. Adekunle emphasized that no political arrangement, negotiation, or personal influence can override the provisions of the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the PDP Constitution, or the party’s Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates.
He stressed that every aspirant who subjected themselves to the party’s nomination process did so with the expectation that due process and internal democracy would be respected.
“I have absolute confidence in the National Working Committee of our great party and in the leadership of Chief Nyesom Wike, a distinguished lawyer and respected leader of the PDP. I believe they will uphold the rule of law, respect due process, and protect the sanctity of the party’s primary election.
“My nomination was earned through a transparent and lawful process. It is not a privilege to be negotiated away, but a legal right that deserves protection.
“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.
“This is not merely about one individual; it is about protecting internal democracy, preserving the integrity of our electoral process, and ensuring that the rule of law prevails over political expediency,” he added.
Dr. Adekunle appealed to party faithful across Osun Central to remain calm, steadfast, and confident that justice, due process, and the law will ultimately prevail.
