LIVE UPDATES: Confusion as 2 Winners Emerge from PDP's Parallel Governorship Primaries in Osun

It's official: Two candidates have emerged from PDP's parallel primaries

The PDP has finally produced two governorship candidates from its parallel parimaries.

Ademola Adeleke is the winner of the primary election backed by the National Working Committee (NWC).

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the returning officer and deputy governor of Bayelsa, said Adeleke polled 1887 votes to defeat his rival, Dotun Babayemi, who had no vote.

However, at the other primary backed by Oyinlola, Dotun Babayemi is the winner.s

The parallel primaries were held simultaneously at the Osun Township Stadium and WOCDIF event centre in Osogbo.

Voting ends at NWC-backed primary too

Voting has also ended at the Osun Township Stadium.

Abiye Sekibo, the electoral officer, says sorting and counting will commence shortly.

Sorting votes begins at Oyinlola-backed primary

Sorting of votes has commenced at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-backed parallel primary.

Voting ongoing at NWC-backed primary

At the primary election recognised by the NWC, voting is still ongoing.

Delegates from Ilesha East, Ila, and Orepodun LGAs are waiting for their turn to vote, according TheCable.

Voting ends at Oyinlola backed primary

Voting has ended at the PDP primary backed by Olagunsoye Oyinlola while sorting and counting are to begin shortly.

Oyinlola overseeing fake primary, says Ewhrudjakpo

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the chairman of Osun PDP primary, says the party's NWC does not recognise the parallel election being held by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola faction.

Ewhrudjakpo who is the deputy governor of Bayelsa state said the primary (being overseen by Oyinlola) is fake.

Plates of rice in circulation at Osun stadium

Party members at Osun Township Stadium are filling their insides as the election is yet to commence.

Oyinlola Olagunsoye arrives WOCDIF

Oyinlola Olagunsoye, former governor of the state, has arrived at WOCDIF, venue of the parallel primary. He is seated at the high table alongside other party chieftains.

Akingbade joins forces with Oyinlola

Fatai Akinbade, another aspirant who pulled out of the Osun PDP primary, has been spotted at the venue of the parallel primary.

Dele Adeleke at the WOCDIF multipurpose hall

Dele Adeleke is presently at the WOCDIF multipurpose hall, venue of the parallel primary. Adeleke, nephew of Ademola Adeleke, is among the four aspirants who pulled out of the race earlier today.

Accreditation of delegates ends at the Osun Township Stadium

Accreditation of delegates has ended at the Osun Township Stadium. Voting is expected to commence soon.

Ademola Adeleke arrives

Ademola Adeleke arrives Osun Township Stadium, venue of the PDP NWC-backed guber primary.

PDP holds parallel governorship primary

The PDP will be holding a parallel governorship primary election. Adeleke's faction is holding its primary at Osun Township Stadium while Babayemi's camp has set up shop at WOCDIF Event Centre. This exercise is backed by Oyinlola Olagunsoye, a former governor of the state

The national working committee of the PDP and Sunday Bisi, the recognised chairman, have endorsed the exercise expected to hold at Osun Township Stadium.

Top contenders still in the race (Prince Dotun Babayemi)

Babayemi is another strong contender. In fact, report claims that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders’ Caucus has endorsed him as its governorship candidate.

A statement yesterday by its Chairman, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, according to The Nation read:

“On behalf of Osun State PDP executives, BoT members, apex party leaders and the entire members of our party in the state, after a painstaking deliberation of the elders of the party, and in preparation for the state congress to elect the governorship candidate of our party slated to hold on March 8, it was unanimously agreed that Prince Babayemi should fly the party’s flag in the impending state congress.

“This decision is with the full backing and concurrence of other aspirants in attendance, who are also eminently qualified to occupy the exalted position.”

Top contenders still in the race (Ademola Adeleke)

Ademola Adeleke

Known as the dancing senator, Ademola Adeleke became a household name in 2017 when he succeeded Isiaka, his late brother, as senator representing Osun West.

He was the the party’s flagbearer in 2018 and in fact, almost won the election against Oyetola.

Adeleke stands as one of the strongest contenders and over the past few months, he has been trying to get the support of the party’s stakeholders.

He is 62 years.

Mass withdrawal of his major contenders

In what can be described as mass withdrawal, major contenders in the party’s primaries holding in Osun state today has revealed that they would no longer be participating in the exercise.

Among the top aspirants who have bowed out of the contest for the party’s gubernatorial ticket include, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi; Fatai Akinbade and Dele Adeleke and Mr. Sanya Ominrin.