In a dramatic turn of events, Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola — popularly known as “FRYO” — has clinched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket for Osun State, ahead of the 2026 poll. The outcome marks not just a new contender, but a vivid illustration of shifting alliances and internal power recalibrations within the party — especially in light of recent upheavals following the controversial convention in Ibadan.
✅ The Numbers: FRYO’s Landslide & What It Means
On Tuesday, the PDP held its Osun governorship primary at Adolak Hall, Osogbo, under tight security, drawing 957 accredited delegates from across the state. FRYO secured 919 votes; 20 votes were declared void following the withdrawal of one aspirant. He was officially declared the party’s candidate for the August 2026 governorship election.
The scale of FRYO’s victory — nearly the full complement of valid votes — leaves no room for doubt about his dominance and the extent of support he commands within the current PDP structure in Osun. This outcome elevates him from being a peripheral figure to a central political actor in Osun’s lead-up to 2026.
🔄 From Ibadan Fallout to South-West Realignment
What makes this result especially consequential is its timing and backdrop. Earlier last month, the PDP held a convention in Ibadan — an event that drew intense scrutiny, controversy, and ignited debates within the South-West chapters of the party. That convention deepened existing fault lines and fomented new ones, as factions jostled for control. The victory of FRYO, widely identified as aligned with Seyi Makinde — governor of Oyo State — signals a broader shift in influence within the South-West PDP, from traditional power bases to newer alliances forged in Ibadan and beyond.
Put simply: the Ibadan fallout appears to have reshuffled the deck — and FRYO is emerging as one of its biggest beneficiaries.
🎯 The Adeleke Factor: Ballot Paper Confusion & Political Implications
One of the more intriguing aspects of the primary was that the name of Ademola Adeleke — the sitting Osun governor until recently — remained on the ballot paper, even though he had publicly resigned from the PDP just 24 hours earlier. His sudden exit has been widely interpreted as a direct consequence of the national-level leadership crisis that has plagued the party in recent weeks.
According to the electoral committee, the ballot had already been printed when Adeleke’s resignation came in, making it too late to amend. Still, the committee clarified that votes cast for him would not be valid, effectively making FRYO the only viable candidate.
This awkward scenario underscores the disarray within the PDP — and raises serious questions about its internal coordination, candidate management, and readiness to present a united front ahead of 2026.
🕵️ What It Says About PDP’s Internal Dynamics
• Institutional Disarray
The fact that a sitting governor could resign — then still appear on a ballot — reflects a startling procedural lapse. That such an error was allowed to stand suggests either a lack of internal communication or a rushed attempt to proceed with the primary regardless, perhaps driven by factional urgency.
• Rise of New Power Brokers
FRYO’s win marks more than just an individual victory: it signals the consolidation of a new power bloc within the PDP’s South-West corridor. With ties to Makinde and possibly other emerging interests, this bloc may dethrone older guard structures that have dominated PDP politics in states like Osun and Oyo.
• Risk of Party Fragmentation — or Reinvention
The preceding turmoil — from the Ibadan convention to intra-party crises and the subsequent resignation of Adeleke — likely left many in the PDP uneasy. Whether FRYO’s emergence will unify the party or deepen fissures remains to be seen. What is clear is that PDP has embarked on a path of reinvention, and the 2026 Osun election may well be its first major litmus test.
🔎 Implications for 2026 & Beyond
— Strategic Foothold in Osun
With FRYO now as candidate, the PDP may be aiming to leverage his fresh image to rally grassroots support across Osun, especially among younger voters and those yearning for a break from status-quo politics.
— Testing Ground for South-West Realignment
If Makinde-aligned actors continue to exert influence in Osun, the traditional balance of power across South-West states could tilt. The ripple effect may impact neighboring states, realign traditional alliances, and redefine PDP’s narrative in the region.
— Internal Stability Under Strain
However, the electorate may view the ballot-paper confusion and abrupt candidate shift as symptomatic of internal instability. Opponents — both within and outside PDP — may exploit this narrative to question the party’s readiness for governance.
🧭 What to Watch Next
Whether other aspirants or factions within PDP contest the legitimacy of FRYO’s win in court.
How supporters of Adeleke respond: will they defect, stay silent, or rally behind the new candidate?
The emergence of any reconciliation efforts to heal internal rifts before the official submission deadline to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The speed and coherence with which PDP mobilises behind FRYO — or whether lingering resentments undermine his candidacy.
⚠️ Final Thought
FRYO’s ascension — coming on the heels of a fraught convention in Ibadan, the jettisoning of a sitting governor, and a ballot that still bore his name — is emblematic of intense internal recalibration within PDP. For observers and stakeholders alike, what just happened in Osun may not just define the 2026 governorship contest — it may well rewrite power equations across the South-West ahead of future elections.
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