Osogbo – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State has been plunged into fresh factional turmoil, mirroring the deepening national leadership crisis rocking the party as state congresses stall nationwide.
Dr Charles Idowu Omidiji, the longstanding Osun State Chairman of the ADC, on Thursday declared that his executive will not participate in the party’s forthcoming state congress, citing directives from “the national body.”
“I have the directive of the national body not to participate in the congress. But a faction in Osun ADC called Omoluabi Progressives is planning to hold the congress. But as Osun State chairman of the party, I am telling you that we are not participating,” Omidiji stated.
The rival faction, loyal to former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Omoluabi Progressives group, hit back swiftly. Seun Abosede, Director of Media for “Osun ADC,” insisted that Omidiji no longer speaks for the party in the state and accused him of defecting to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“He can’t speak for Osun ADC. He has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress. He has been listed on the website of the party as Osun’s protem chairman. Omidiji is no longer in Osun ADC,” Abosede said. “We are proceeding with the congress. On Saturday, we will have our state congress, and thereafter, we will proceed to the national convention. You can check the website of the NDC, Omidiji is listed on its website as Osun protem chairman.”
The development comes barely months after Omidiji’s leadership received a vote of confidence from the Forum of ADC Local Government Chairmen in Osun, who pledged to work with him towards victory in the August 8, 2026, governorship election.1
National Crisis Fuels Osun Split
The Osun feud is a direct fallout from the ADC’s national leadership quagmire. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has de-recognised the National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark (with Aregbesola as National Secretary), following court orders. A third bloc of about 25 state chairmen — which includes Omidiji, now serving as National Organising Secretary in their interim/caretaker committee — has seized control and announced plans for a national convention.
Multiple states have suspended or postponed congresses amid court cases and conflicting directives from rival factions. In Osun, the Omoluabi Progressives — who had earlier coalesced with the ADC structure and backed Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam as the party’s governorship candidate — now appear locked in a power struggle with Omidiji’s group.
High Stakes Ahead of 2026 Governorship Poll
The crisis threatens to derail the ADC’s preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship election, where the party had positioned itself as a major contender against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Salaam, the ADC candidate, had been actively consulting traditional rulers and setting up campaign structures alongside running mate Mrs Temitope Yemisi Agiri.
Political observers warn that the public display of division could erode voter confidence and weaken the opposition’s chances of dislodging the APC in the state.
As of press time, neither INEC nor the national factions had issued a specific comment on the Osun congress scheduled for Saturday. Party insiders say legal challenges and further INEC clarifications are expected in the coming days.
The ADC, once seen as a potential “third force” in Osun politics through its alliance with Aregbesola’s loyalists, now risks fragmentation at a critical moment. Further updates are expected as the rival factions dig in ahead of the weekend.
