By Peter Omopo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, securing a second term in office.
Adeleke defeated his closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, after polling 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes.
The result gave Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Folasayo Salaam, finished a distant third with 17,180 votes.
Salaam had entered the election as one of the candidates regarded as capable of emerging as a strong third force, particularly after receiving the backing of former Osun State Governor and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. However, his support did not translate into enough votes to challenge the two leading candidates.
Adeleke’s victory makes him the third governor in Osun State’s history to secure a second term through an election, joining Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Aregbesola.
Oyinlola won a second term but did not complete it after a court ruling nullified his election over electoral irregularities. Aregbesola subsequently succeeded him and won a second term, serving eight years in office.
Adeleke’s Re-election
Adeleke’s victory came after a closely contested campaign marked by intense competition and political divisions, including disagreements within his own political camp over his re-election bid.
Despite the challenges, the incumbent governor succeeded in retaining a significant portion of his electoral base while mobilising support across the state.
His campaign highlighted his administration’s record in office, particularly infrastructure projects and direct engagement with residents, while portraying the election as a choice between continuity and a return to the APC.
Supporters also pointed to Adeleke’s visibility across the state and his perceived connection with ordinary residents as factors that strengthened his appeal during the campaign.
The result, however, shows that the APC mounted a formidable challenge. Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes demonstrated the strength of the opposition campaign, although it was ultimately insufficient to unseat the incumbent.
The 66,252-vote margin also indicates that the election was competitive, with Adeleke required to defend his political base against a well-organised opposition.
With INEC’s declaration, attention will now turn to the political aftermath of the election, including the response of the APC and other contestants and whether any challenge to the result will be pursued through the courts.
For Adeleke, the victory ushers in another four-year mandate and places renewed expectations on his administration to consolidate its achievements and deliver on its promises to the people of Osun State.
