OSUN 2026: ADELEKE DEFEATS APC, WINS SECOND TERM WITH 66,244-VOTE MARGIN
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party has been declared winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a keenly contested poll.
Adeleke secured 491,975 votes to emerge victorious, while Oyebamiji polled 425,731 votes, giving the incumbent governor a decisive 66,244-vote margin.
The victory, announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the completion of collation at the state collation centre in Osogbo, means Adeleke will return to the Bola Ige House for another four-year term.
ADELEKE TAKES 19 LGAS, APC WINS 11
The Accord Party candidate dominated the overall LGA spread, winning 19 of Osun's 30 Local Government Areas, while Oyebamiji and the APC secured victories in the remaining 11 LGAs.
The result caps a fiercely fought election in which the APC mounted a major challenge to Adeleke's hold on the state.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished a distant third with 16,513 votes, according to the final figures reported following the declaration.
A SECOND TERM FOR ADELEKE
Adeleke's victory gives him a second consecutive term as governor of Osun State, although his political platform has changed from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which he won the 2022 election, to the Accord Party.
His latest victory also represents another setback for the APC, which had hoped to reclaim Osun State after losing the governorship to Adeleke in 2022.
The 2026 contest had been closely watched nationally, particularly because of the political rivalry between the Adeleke camp and the APC.
OYEBAMIJI'S STRONG CHALLENGE FALLS SHORT
Although Oyebamiji mounted a formidable challenge and won 11 LGAs, his performance was not enough to overcome Adeleke's advantage across several of the governor's traditional strongholds.
Adeleke recorded particularly strong performances in areas including Ede North and Ede South, while also securing Osogbo, the state capital.
The final figures therefore confirmed what had become increasingly evident during the collation: the election had developed into a two-horse race, but Adeleke maintained the upper hand until the final result was announced.
POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The outcome is significant for both camps.
For Adeleke, it is a fresh mandate to continue his administration and consolidate his political influence in the state.
For the APC, the defeat means another four years outside the Osun Government House and raises questions about the party's strategy ahead of future electoral contests in the state.
The election was also marked by strong voter interest and some reported security and operational challenges during voting and collation.
INEC nevertheless proceeded with the collation of results from all 30 LGAs before the final declaration.
ADELEKE'S NEW MANDATE
With 491,975 votes, 19 LGA victories and a 66,244-vote advantage, Adeleke has secured a fresh mandate from Osun voters.
The result marks the conclusion of one of the state's most closely watched political contests and hands Adeleke another four years at the helm of the State of the Living Spring.
Osun has spoken. Adeleke stays.
