Osun Governorship Election 2026
OpenLife News reports that ahead of Saturday, August 15 governorship election in Osun State, leading candidates in the poll have intensified their campaigns as they seek to secure victory.
The incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is running on the platform of the Accord Party; the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji; and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress have been running neck-and-neck, consolidating their holds on their respective strongholds while wooing power brokers in local government areas where they have weaker campaign structures.
All three leading candidates hail from Osun West Senatorial District, making the contest a tight West versus West battle.
Adeleke and Salaam hail from the Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency.
Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, comes from the Irewole/Isokan/Ayedaade Federal Constituency.
Adeleke’s Strategy on Incumbency and Projects
After almost four years in office, Adeleke has been using projects executed by his administration as a bargaining chip across the local government areas of the state. His base is expected to deliver big in Ede North and Ede South. He is also targeting Egbedore, Council Area which is the home of his constituency colleague, Reps Bamidele Salam.
With his running mate Kola Adewusi and former PDP National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo, Adeleke’s camp is pushing hard in Ife Central, Ife East and Ife South.
However, that ground is not entirely free, as Oyebamiji’s running mate Benjamin Adereti is from Ile-Ife.
Adeleke’s team is also working in Ifelodun, Ila, Oriade, Iwo, Ifedayo, Orolu and Olaoluwa.
Support from Moshood Adeoti, former SSG from Iwo, could help him in Iwo Federal Constituency.
But ADC’s 2027 senatorial candidate Dr Amin Ogunbiyi may pose a challenge there.
In Osogbo, the two LGAs in the state capital are wide open. The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, has backed Adeleke. But APC heavyweights like National Secretary Sen. Ajibola Basiru and 2027 senatorial candidate Adekunle Adegoke, SAN are making inroads.
Rauf Aregbesola’s influence in Osogbo is also helping ADC’s Salaam.Oyebamiji’s Strategy
APC Structure & Federal Might
The APC candidate is counting on block votes from his home base of Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan. The influence of Dotun Babayemi from Gbongan gives him an edge there.
Oyebamiji is also looking at Odo Otin, where the Oyinlola PDP faction may work for APC. But the presence of House of Assembly Speaker Wale Egbedun could limit APC’s gains.
He is also favored in Boluwaduro and Boripe, hometown of Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, and has strong chances in Irepodun, Ife North and Obokun — the LGA of Senator Francis Fadahunsi.
House of Representatives Sanya Omirin is expected to deliver Atakunmosa East and West for APC, unless Adeleke’s men push back.
However, Aregbesola’s loyalists may hurt Oyebamiji in Ilesa East. Remi Omowaiye of the Federal Housing Authority is leading APC’s charge in Ilesa West.
Salaam’s Strategy
Aregbesola’s Legacy ADC’s Dr Najeem Salaam, an 8-year former Speaker, is strongest in his base of Ejigbo. He’s also targeting Ilesa East, Osogbo and Olorunda.
He benefits from inheriting Aregbesola’s political structure across the state, though he also carries some of the liabilities tied to the former governor.
The Key Battlegrounds
Analysts say the election will be decided in 7 LGAs:
Osogbo & Olorunda
This would be three-way fight involving royal support for Adeleke, APC structure for Oyebamiji, Aregbesola factor for Salaam.
Ife Central, East, South
In these areas, Adeleke has Adewusi/Oladipo, but Oyebamiji has Adereti.
Odo Otin
This Council area is squarley between Oyinlola vs Speaker Egbedun. It is a true swing LGA.
Ilesa East
Here is Oyebamiji’s local base vs Aregbesola/Salaam influence.
Iwo
In Iwo, Adeleke has Adeoti, but ADC’s Ogunbiyi could split votes.
Parties Project Victory
APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi said Oyebamiji will win all 30 LGAs, citing his candidate’s grassroots tours.
Accord’s Oladele Bamiji countered that Adeleke will sweep all 30 LGAs because “the governor has touched every local government.”
ADC spokesperson Seun Abosede could not be reached for comment.
The 7 Decider LGAs
These will likely decide the winner: Osogbo and Olorunda Adeleke: Has Ataoja’s backingOyebamiji: Has Basiru & Adegoke working the ground.
Salaam: Has Aregbesola’s base Ife Central, East, South.
Adeleke: Adewusi and Oladipo factor
Oyebamiji: Running mate Benjamin Adereti is from Ile-IfeOdo Otin
Oyebamiji: Oyinlola PDP faction.
Accord: “We will win all 30 LGAs”
ADC: No comment yet.
Osun 2026 Map with Vote Projections And key Influencers under each LGA
Key Influencers
Identified key influencers are Ataoja, Basiru, Aregbesola, Adewusi, Oladipo, Adereti, Oyinlola, Egbedun, Oyetola, Adeoti, Ogunbiyi, etc.
Projections
Based on current ground reports and from the projections, Adeleke would lead in Ede axis as a result of his edge in Ife with running mate.
Oyebamiji would lead in Irewole/Isokan/Ayedaade as a result of Oyetola LGAs but Salaam is the spoiler in Osogbo, Olorunda, Ilesa East due to Aregbesola.
Odo Otin, Iwo, Osogbo are marked as true “Toss-ups.”
Summary Table of Candidates Comparison
Below is a summary table comparing 3 leading candidates on campaign strategy, strengths, and weaknesses comprising Ademola Adeleke of Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of APC and Dr Najeem Salaam of ADC.
Election Date And Security
The election date is Saturday, August 15, 2026 with over 15,000 Police officers deployed as well as Police Service Commission, PSC, personnel as monitoring team on ground.
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