DO YOU KNOW? Osun PDP Flagbearer Adebayo ‘Fryo’ Adedamola Was Once Arraigned in the Bola Ige Murder Case

By Newsworld Correspondent

On December 2, the political atmosphere in Osun State shifted sharply when Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, popularly known as Adebayo ‘Fryo’, emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the August 2026 gubernatorial election.

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His rise came unexpectedly. Senator Ademola Adeleke—who was earlier projected to contest—suddenly stepped aside, resigning from the PDP and blaming what he described as “persistent leadership crises” within the party. With his exit, the path opened for Adedamola, a figure whose name has now returned to the front pages of political debate in Osun.

But to many older residents of Osun, Oyo, and parts of the South-West, the name Adebayo Adedamola is not new. His nickname “Fryo” echoes loudly in the political memory of the region.

A Name Tied to an Unforgettable Chapter

Adebayo Adedamola was one of the individuals arraigned in connection with the investigation into the 2001 murder of Chief Bola Ige, Nigeria’s former Attorney General and Minister of Justice. His arraignment at the time placed him in the centre of a high-profile case that drew national and international attention.

It is important to state that:

• The Nigerian legal system requires that arraignment does not equal guilt.
• Over the years, several suspects in the case were discharged or had charges dropped after the courts found insufficient evidence.
• Adedamola has consistently maintained his innocence and said he was wrongly targeted due to politics of that era.

For these reasons, his supporters argue that bringing up the case today amounts to revisiting a matter which the courts and the law have already addressed. Nonetheless, the historical fact of his arraignment remains part of his public record—and it continues to shape public discussion now that he is running for governor.

A Political Comeback Nobody Saw Coming

Before now, Adedamola was not widely viewed as a major contender within the PDP hierarchy. However, the internal implosion of the party, combined with Adeleke’s departure, thrust him unexpectedly to the top.

Party insiders say his emergence came after:

• Intense negotiations between power blocs,
• Pressure to present a candidate acceptable to both old and new PDP factions, and
• The desire for a flagbearer with grassroots support.

Adedamola, originally from a politically conscious background in Osun, is said to command influence among youth groups, street-level party structures, and some diaspora supporters based in Lagos and Oyo.

Mixed Reactions Across Osun State

His candidacy has triggered a wave of reactions:

Supporters say:

• He has paid his dues in the party
• The Bola Ige case is “a closed chapter”
• He represents a younger, more energetic generation
• He can compete strongly against the ruling APC machinery

Critics argue:

• His past legal troubles could affect public perception
• PDP should have chosen a more nationally acceptable figure
• The party may face attacks from opponents during campaigns

Political analysts note that Osun elections are historically unpredictable—often decided by last-minute alliances, personality politics, and voter turnout.

A Contest That Will Shape Osun’s Political Future

With Adedamola now holding the PDP ticket, attention shifts to how he plans to navigate:

• The legacy of the Bola Ige case
• His public image
• The divided structure of Osun PDP
• The ruling party’s strong incumbency power
• The influence of regional political leaders in Oyo and Lagos

For many observers, his candidacy signals a dramatic, unexpected twist ahead of the 2026 race—one that will test both PDP’s internal unity and the ability of a controversial figure to reinvent himself politically.

Whether Adebayo “Fryo” Adedamola can transform his turbulent past into a political advantage remains a question Osun voters will answer in August 2026.