FRYO’s Victory Ignites Storm: Aare Alao Says PDP Constitution Invalidates Adeleke’s Mandate After Defection
Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola, popularly known as FRYO, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2026 Osun State Election, following a landslide victory at the party’s primary held in Osogbo on Tuesday.
FRYO secured 919 votes out of 957 valid votes, in a primary exercise party officials described as credible, peaceful, and transparent, marking a new phase for the PDP in Osun State. The election followed heightened political activities after Governor Ademola Adeleke formally withdrew from seeking re-election under the party.
But the outcome has also triggered reactions beyond Osun State.
Prominent PDP youth stakeholder from Oyo State, Aare Alao Olalekan, has called on Governor Adeleke to “honourably vacate the seat” following his defection from the party that produced him as governor. Aare Alao, in a strongly worded statement, argued that the PDP Constitution makes it impossible for Adeleke to continue enjoying a PDP mandate while belonging to another political party, insisting that such a move is both morally and constitutionally inconsistent with party rules.
According to him:
“The PDP Constitution is clear. Once you decamp, you cease to be a member of the party. Governor Adeleke rode to power on the PDP platform. If he has dumped the party, honour demands that he should vacate the office and return the mandate to the PDP.”
To justify his position, Alao pointed to specific sections of the PDP Constitution:
Relevant PDP Constitution Sections
Article 8(17):
A member shall be deemed to have resigned from the Party if he/she joins another political party.
(Meaning: Adeleke automatically stopped being PDP the moment he defected.)
Article 21(1):
Every member must abide by the Party Constitution and directives.
(His defection violates party loyalty requirements.)
Article 21(2)(a):
Anti-party activities shall be an offence.
(Defecting while holding a PDP mandate is considered anti-party.)
Article 21(2)(b):
Failure to uphold party decisions shall be an offence.
Article 58:
Offences include:
• Breach of the Party Constitution
• Engaging in anti-party activities
• Disobedience to party directives
Aare Alao stressed that although the Nigerian Constitution decides whether a governor can be legally removed, the PDP Constitution is unambiguous about party loyalty, discipline, and the illegitimacy of holding a PDP mandate while standing on another party’s platform.
He maintained that Adeleke’s defection amounts to automatic resignation from the PDP under Article 8(17), and therefore, “he cannot morally or politically continue occupying a seat won under a party he no longer belongs to.”
With FRYO now officially the PDP flagbearer heading into the 2026 governorship contest, celebrations erupted across Osun State, while the candidate is expected to address supporters and the media later today.
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