Osun Election: Adeleke, Oyebamiji in Fierce Battle as Votes Begin to Count

Osun State voters are currently casting their ballots in the 2026 governorship election, with the contest largely narrowed to incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam.

The election is being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the state’s 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,763 polling units. INEC records indicate that Osun has 2,339,233 registered voters, while 1,906,391 collected their Permanent Voter Cards, representing an 81.5 per cent PVC collection rate.

Adeleke seeks second term

Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the Accord platform after winning the 2022 governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He defeated the then APC candidate, Gboyega Oyetola, by 28,344 votes in 2022.

Adeleke’s campaign has focused on his administration’s record and the need to continue ongoing projects and programmes across the state. His bid received a significant political boost after a faction of the PDP endorsed him following the controversy surrounding the party’s participation in the election.

Two other candidates, including Adebayo Adedamola of the PDP and Adebayo Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), reportedly withdrew and endorsed Adeleke shortly before the election.

APC banking on Oyebamiji

The APC is challenging Adeleke with Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO. Oyebamiji, a former Osun Commissioner for Finance and former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, has campaigned on the platform of returning the state to APC control.

After casting his vote at Ikire, Oyebamiji expressed confidence that he would win the election. He also called on security agencies to remain proactive and ensure a peaceful exercise.

Salaam emerges as third major contender

Najeem Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and candidate of the ADC, is also considered a major contender. His campaign has positioned him as an alternative to the two dominant political blocs.

However, voting at Salaam’s polling unit in Ejigbo was reportedly disrupted by suspected thugs shortly after he cast his ballot. Voters and INEC officials reportedly fled the area temporarily as security operatives moved the candidate away from the scene.

BVAS challenges, alleged vote-buying

Although voting has generally commenced across the state, there have been reports of challenges involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), crowding and delays at some polling units.

At a polling unit in Ila-Orangun, for instance, a large number of voters reportedly struggled to access a single BVAS machine, creating a rowdy situation.

There have also been allegations of vote-buying and intimidation in some communities. These remain allegations and have not established the overall outcome of the election.

Tinubu urges peaceful election

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had urged INEC and security agencies to ensure that the Osun election is peaceful, transparent and credible, while calling for the protection of voters and electoral officials.

No result yet

As of the latest available reports this afternoon, voting and the collation process are still ongoing, and INEC has not declared a winner. Reports of individual polling-unit activities or early results should therefore not be interpreted as the final outcome.

The major political battle is effectively between Adeleke (Accord), Oyebamiji (APC) and Salaam (ADC), although other candidates are also on the ballot. The final result will depend on votes recorded across the 30 LGAs and subsequently collated by INEC.