Adeleke wins Osun Governorship election for a second term

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has secured another term in office after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the state’s 2026 governorship election.

The Accord Party candidate defeated his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, in Saturday’s keenly contested election.

INEC Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, announced the final results and formally declared Adeleke the winner.

Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji recorded 444,815 votes, giving the incumbent a winning margin of 66,252 votes.

The declaration brings an end to a closely watched contest that had attracted considerable attention because of its potential implications for the political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election. Multiple reports confirmed Adeleke’s victory following the final collation.

Supporters take over the streets

News of the result triggered celebrations across Osun, with Adeleke’s supporters taking to the streets in several communities to celebrate what they described as a decisive victory.

The result also represents another chapter in Adeleke’s political career. He first became governor in 2022 and has now secured the mandate to remain in the Osun Government House for a second term.

His victory is particularly significant because he contested this election under the Accord Party, following his move away from the Peoples Democratic Party.

A closely watched contest

The election had been preceded by an intense campaign season involving the incumbent and a strong APC challenge.

Oyebamiji, who previously served as Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, emerged as the APC candidate and was widely regarded as Adeleke’s principal challenger.

The final figures show that while the APC mounted a substantial challenge, Adeleke ultimately maintained a lead of more than 66,000 votes.

The election also attracted heightened scrutiny after political tensions and allegations surrounding the conduct of the poll and the collation process. Adeleke had earlier called on President Bola Tinubu to caution security agencies deployed for the election, alleging attempts to disrupt the collation process.

A message ahead of 2027

Beyond Osun, Adeleke’s victory is likely to be closely examined by political parties as they position themselves for the 2027 presidential election.

The poll was widely viewed as an important test of the strength of Nigeria’s opposition forces and the APC’s ability to consolidate its influence in the South-West.

For Adeleke, however, the immediate significance is more personal and political: he has successfully defended his governorship mandate and will now begin another four-year term at the helm of Osun State.

The final result leaves no ambiguity in the numbers announced by INEC: Adeleke 511,067; Oyebamiji 444,815 — a winning margin of 66,252 votes.