As Nigeria heads towards the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is sharpening its strategy in key battlegrounds. At the centre of this effort is Dare Adeleke, Chairman of the party’s caretaker committee in Ekiti State, and a figure whose political influence has long been rooted in Oyo.
Adeleke’s appointment in Ekiti is widely viewed as more than routine. It signals the party’s reliance on a trusted mobiliser, one whose reputation for building alliances and energising grassroots support has made him a fixture in Oyo’s PDP structure. With the Ekiti governorship election looming in 2026, party insiders say his new role is intended to replicate that success in a state where the PDP has struggled to unseat the APC.
Behind the scenes, Adeleke is seen as a “bridge figure” within the PDP, capable of balancing the demands of old-guard politicians with the aspirations of younger party members. His style, often described as people-centred and pragmatic, has earned him both loyal supporters and sharp critics. Detractors dismiss his rise as a product of political patronage, but allies argue that his record in Oyo reflects consistency, discipline and staying power in a volatile political landscape and his loyalty to the party, since it was formed. For the records, Adeleke was the party’s first Youth Leader when it was formed in 1998 and has represented the party in different capacities both on the zonal and international level, since then. He is known for delivering his constituencies and candidates with dedicated focus, in every election. In Oyo grassroots, the name Dare Adeleke commands respect and awe. He is famed for being fearless and bold, taking on characters many others fear to confront, with rugged determination. It is to Adeleke’s credit that some of these politicians could not carry out their plans to completely compromise the party in the next governorship election..
What makes Adeleke particularly valuable to the PDP is his unique method – a combination of personal outreach, engagement with local networks, and careful cultivation of party loyalty. In Oyo, where the PDP has enjoyed a relatively stronger base, Adeleke has been part of the machinery that kept the party competitive. In Ekiti, a more fragmented terrain, the challenge is stiffer but PDP strategists believe his grassroots touch would make a difference in the next election year, 2026.
For the PDP nationally, the calculation is clear. With the APC entrenched in several key states, winning back Ekiti in 2026 is seen as a morale-boosting victory that could set the tone for 2027. By assigning Adeleke to the task, the party is betting on experience over experimentation.
Whether this gamble pays off will depend not just on Adeleke’s ability to rally the grassroots, but also on his capacity to gavalnise strong members within the PDP and project credibility in a state wary of recycled promises. For now, though, Adeleke is the man both Oyo and Ekiti PDP circles are watching, the strategist expected to deliver when it matters most.
