The Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG) has alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke deliberately skipped the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention in Ibadan on November 15‑16, citing a court‑ordered suspension of the event.
According to a release signed by its Convener Dr. Adeyemi Akande, OYIGG Governor Adeleke, who is seeking re‑election, left Nigeria on Friday afternoon for an undisclosed destination abroad to avoid being “party to an illegal convention”. The group accused the governor of “boycotting” the convention amid a legal battle that has engulfed the PDP.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had on Friday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or recognising any PDP convention that excluded former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido as a contestant . Justice Lifu ruled that Lamido was wrongfully denied a nomination form to run for the PDP national chairmanship, violating party rules and the constitution, and ordered the convention to be put on hold until Lamido can obtain the form, campaign and mobilise support .
Former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki has also urged the PDP to halt the convention, warned that proceeding could deepen the party’s crisis.
OYIGG’s statement further noted that Governor Adeleke’s sudden overseas trip departing around 4:15 pm on Friday comes after APC leaders in Osun reportedly rejected him, prompting him to “run from doors to pool” in search of a political platform for his re‑election bid .
The youth group also called on the public to support the Armed Forces with timely information to help rid the region of terrorism and criminality, drawing a parallel to the ongoing security challenges in the North‑East.
