A fresh legal battle has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State as a party chieftain, Dr. Ibraheem Adekunle, has approached the court to challenge an alleged move to replace him as the party’s candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adekunle is challenging the alleged substitution of his candidacy and has listed the PDP and Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, popularly known as Ajagunla, among the parties involved in the dispute.

The PDP chieftain maintains that he remains the duly nominated candidate for the senatorial district, having emerged from the party’s senatorial primary conducted in Osogbo.

According to him, the primary was conducted in accordance with the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral regulations. He said he had obtained the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the primary result and completed the required nomination procedures.

The suit seeks judicial clarification on whether a person who did not participate in a party’s primary election can subsequently be presented as the party’s candidate for the same elective position.

Adekunle also contends that his name was duly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the PDP’s candidate in accordance with the Electoral Act.

Fadeyi’s Return Sparks Fresh Dispute

The controversy reportedly intensified following Senator Fadeyi’s return to the PDP after he failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Osun Central.

Fadeyi had reportedly participated in the APC senatorial primary conducted in May 2026, where he lost to Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN).

Following his return to the PDP, Fadeyi allegedly laid claim to the party’s Osun Central senatorial ticket. Adekunle, however, argues that such a claim is inconsistent with the PDP’s already-concluded primary process.

He further questioned claims that Fadeyi obtained a waiver to rejoin the PDP on May 8, 2026, pointing out that Fadeyi subsequently participated in the APC primary.

Legal Battle Over Primary, Substitution

The case is expected to place key provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, relating to party primaries, nomination, candidate submission and substitution under judicial scrutiny.

Adekunle maintains that he has neither withdrawn from the race nor been disqualified by the party, insisting that his mandate remains valid.

“I remain the validly nominated PDP candidate. I will defend the mandate through lawful means,” he said.

The outcome of the suit could have significant implications for the PDP’s choice of candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 elections.