Governor Adeleke Brokers Peace In Ife PDP, Urges Unity Against Opposition Divisions

The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has successfully intervened in the recent crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ife Federal Constituency, restoring calm and charging party stakeholders to remain vigilant against external forces allegedly plotting to destabilize the party.

The controversy arose after some PDP leaders in the constituency passed a vote of no confidence in the Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; former PDP National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo; and Ife East PDP Chairman, Olasunkanmi Makinde (popularly called Benco), accusing them of engaging in anti-party activities. The development sparked tension within the ruling party in Osun, prompting Governor Adeleke to step in and broker reconciliation.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, Adeleke described the fallout as a result of miscommunication among leaders, further worsened by deliberate attempts by political opponents to sow discord. He commended party elders and leaders for their willingness to resolve the misunderstanding and urged them to focus on consolidating the PDP’s dominance in Ifeland.

“Throughout this meeting today, I see Ile Ife PDP very truly united. I listened to all the leaders here and I see clearly a communication gap among the leaders. There is also a strong sign of an outsider plot to divide Ife PDP,” Adeleke declared.

He added, “Now that we have seen the roots of the matter, I charge us to get back to work. Our administration has done so much for Ifeland and we are still going to do more. Ile Ife is a PDP territory. Go back and sustain the tempo. I commend the elders and leaders, the senatorial leader, the local party chairmen, the elected party chairmen, party chiefs, and operatives. Go back and continue working for the victory of the party.”

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High-Profile Mediation

The reconciliation meeting, held over the weekend, was attended by notable party figures across Osun State. Among those present were Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, who had been at the center of the crisis; Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi; State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Sunday Bisi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Kazeem Akinleye; and Chairman of the Commissioners’ Forum, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa.

Their presence underscored the importance of resolving the rift, as Ife Federal Constituency remains a stronghold of the PDP in Osun politics. Analysts noted that leaving the crisis unchecked could have weakened the party’s grassroots mobilization ahead of future elections.

A “Family Affair”

Earlier during the meeting, Osun PDP Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, described the conflict as a “family affair” rather than a fundamental breakdown within the party. He stressed that while the vote of no confidence had sparked controversy, all parties involved had ultimately demonstrated loyalty to the PDP.

“We are glad that all issues have been ironed out. It is the resolution of this meeting that all statutory meetings for party mobilisation should reconvene and all party members and leaders should decisively frown at any act capable of misinterpretation as anti-party activity,” Bisi said.

His remarks appeared to set the tone for a fresh beginning within the constituency, reinforcing the idea that internal disagreements should not derail the party’s collective strength.

Sustaining PDP’s Grip in Ife

For Governor Adeleke, the reconciliation was not only about restoring peace but also about ensuring that the PDP maintains its grip on Ifeland, one of the most politically significant areas in Osun State. The governor highlighted the administration’s developmental strides in the area, noting that his government would continue to prioritize projects that impact the lives of the people.

Observers believe Adeleke’s intervention was timely, as sustained disunity could have given the opposition an opening to exploit cracks within the PDP. By emphasizing unity, Adeleke sought to shield the party from infiltration by rival political forces ahead of future contests.

Implications for Osun Politics

The reconciliation in Ife PDP carries wider implications for Osun politics. Intra-party disputes are not uncommon, particularly in constituencies with influential leaders and competing interests. However, Adeleke’s ability to bring warring factions together is seen as a demonstration of political maturity and leadership.

Analysts suggest that the crisis, if left unresolved, could have escalated into factionalism, similar to what has weakened other parties in Nigeria. By framing the dispute as a “communication gap” exploited by external forces, Adeleke repositioned the issue as one requiring collective responsibility rather than finger-pointing.

The governor’s warning against “agents of division” also reflects broader concerns about opposition strategies in Osun, where the PDP remains the ruling party but faces stiff competition from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

With the crisis officially resolved, attention now turns to how the Ife PDP leadership consolidates the truce. The governor’s call for statutory party meetings to resume is expected to revive grassroots mobilization, a critical factor in maintaining the PDP’s electoral advantage.

For Deputy Governor Adewusi, Professor Oladipo, and Olasunkanmi Makinde, who were at the center of the vote of no confidence, the reconciliation offers an opportunity to rebuild trust and strengthen collaboration with other leaders in the constituency.

As the party moves forward, stakeholders agree that communication, inclusiveness, and vigilance against infiltration will be crucial in sustaining unity. The Ife Federal Constituency remains pivotal in Osun’s political landscape, and the PDP leadership is keen to ensure that the constituency remains firmly under its control.

Governor Adeleke’s intervention may therefore serve as both a conflict-resolution template and a reminder of the importance of cohesion in party politics. For now, the Ife PDP appears back on track, united under the governor’s call to “go back and sustain the tempo.”