The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the incumbent Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, winner of the 2026 governorship election held across the state.
Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeated his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and 13 other candidates.
The returning officer announced Adeleke as the winner in the early hours of Sunday following voting and collation across the 30 local government areas of Osun State.
Adeleke Wins Second Governorship Mandate
The victory gives Adeleke another four-year mandate after he first won the Osun governorship election in 2022 on the platform of the PDP, defeating the then incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Adeleke campaigned on the record of his administration in areas including infrastructure development, economic growth, pension payments, healthcare and digital transformation.
During the campaign and after voting, the governor expressed confidence that his performance in office would earn him the support of Osun voters.
Oyebamiji Finishes Second
Oyebamiji, a former Osun State Commissioner for Finance and the APC governorship candidate, finished second in the election.
He had also expressed confidence in victory after casting his ballot at his polling unit in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area.
The APC candidate secured victories in several local government areas, including Ilesha East, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun and Atakumosa West.
Najeem Salaam Emerges Third
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, emerged third in the closely contested election.
Salaam had earlier raised concerns over the alleged non-recognition of some ADC agents at polling locations during the election.
The development came amid reports of other incidents and irregularities recorded by election observers during voting. The Bureau Journal had earlier reported concerns over electoral irregularities and security incidents recorded during the Osun poll.
15 Political Parties Contested Election
INEC said 15 political parties participated in the Osun governorship election, with 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards collected ahead of the poll.
The election attracted intense attention across the state, with voters, political parties, observers and civil society organisations closely monitoring the voting and collation process.
The Bureau Journal had also reported on the electoral process and preparations surrounding Nigeria’s wider election landscape, including the growing importance of transparent result collation and voter participation.
Adeleke Raises Concerns Over Election Violence
Before the election, Adeleke repeatedly raised concerns over alleged attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
He also promised to establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate reported killings and other acts of violence linked to the election.
Several incidents were reported during voting, including allegations of intimidation, disruption and other electoral offences in some locations.
The Bureau Journal had earlier reported that civil society observers documented cases of vote trading, ballot exposure, voter obstruction and security-related incidents during the election.
Election Results Monitored on IReV Portal
The election results were closely monitored through INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal as polling-unit results were progressively uploaded.
Before the final declaration, the number of uploaded polling-unit results continued to rise as collation proceeded across the state’s local government areas.
The use of the results portal provided voters, political parties, journalists and election observers with access to polling-unit-level results as the process progressed.
Adeleke’s Previous Victory
Adeleke’s latest victory follows his 2022 governorship election victory, when he defeated former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in one of Osun State’s most closely contested political battles.
His second-term victory now gives the Accord Party governor another opportunity to implement his development agenda and consolidate projects and reforms initiated during his first tenure.
With the election concluded and the result declared, attention will now shift to the implementation of the governor’s campaign promises and the political direction of Osun State ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The Bureau Journal will continue to provide updates on the Osun election, governance and other major political developments across Nigeria.
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