\n\nGovernor Ademola Adeleke has been re-elected as the Governor of Osun State, defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the keenly contested 2026 governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, winner after he secured 511,067 votes across the state.
His closest challenger, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, polled 444,815 votes, giving Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke’s victory came after a closely watched election held on August 15, with the governor securing victories in 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11 LGAs.
The result marks Adeleke’s second consecutive governorship victory in Osun. He previously won the 2022 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeating then-incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the APC.
The governor’s re-election has triggered celebrations across the state, particularly in Osogbo, the state capital, and Ede, his hometown, where supporters took to the streets to celebrate the outcome.
Political leaders across the country have also reacted to the result. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and several serving governors congratulated Adeleke while commending Osun voters for participating in the electoral process.
President Bola Tinubu also congratulated Adeleke, describing the result as an indication of the confidence Osun voters have placed in the governor.
Adeleke’s victory is also expected to have wider political implications ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly because he contested the Osun election under the Accord Party after previously governing under the PDP. His victory has already generated renewed political interest, with different political camps seeking his support ahead of 2027.
With his second term secured, attention will now shift to Adeleke’s plans for Osun State and whether his administration can build on the achievements and policies of his first tenure.
