By Shina Abubakar OSOGBO— WITH just over four weeks to the governorship election in Osun State and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, confirming that 2,339, 233 residents registered to participate in the polls, candidates and political parties are intensifying moves to warm themselves into the hearts of the people with a view to winning their support to emerge as the next Governor of the state. Of the 14 political parties and their candidates listed by INEC for the August 15 governorship polls, the most visible candidates have presented their manifestoes, gone beyond consultation and embarked on campaigns across the local government areas. The candidates and their parties Candidates in the race include Governor Ademola Adeleke (Accord Party), Farinloye Olarenwaju (Action Alliance), Esan Olajide (African Action Congress, AAC); Najeem Salaam (African Democratic Congress, ADC); Adeagbo Opawoye (African Democratic Party, ADP) and Bola Oyebamiji (All Progressives Congress, APC). Others are Adesina Aseyemi-Doro (All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA); Adewale Adebayo (Allied People Movement, APM); Clement Adesuyi (Action Peoples Party, APP); Masilo Adeleke (Boot Party); Taofeek Adeleke (New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP); Saliu Oyelami (Peoples Redemption Party, PRP), Ogunsakin Olalekan (Young Progressives Party, YPP) and Adefemi Adesuyi (Zenith Labour Party, ZLP).Out of the 14 candidates, only three have presented manifestoes and commenced campaigns. While Governor Adeleke hinged his re-election campaign on his five-point agenda reloaded, his rival, Mr Bola Oyebamiji of APC, tagged his manifesto as ‘Prosperity agenda’. Najeem Salaam of the ADC also launched a 10-point agenda manifesto. Adeleke’s prospect Apart from being the incumbent governor, he also enjoyed acceptability among the majority of civil servants and the leadership of the labour unions; the NLC, TUC and JNC are all on his side and appearing in the Accord party campaign soliciting support for the governor. The Governor is also banking on his achievements in the area of infrastructure across the three senatorial districts, which has been driving his campaigns so far. It is also a major point for his party members and supporters. In addition, the Ede born politician seems to be enjoying the backing of some traditional rulers in the state, led by the Ataoja of Osogbo, who on different occasions publicly declared support for the Governor and Accord party despite resistance from his subjects. Also, Adeleke’s popularity has extended to the party, with the Accord party becoming more popular than the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, through which he won the governorship poll about four years ago.The PDP’s failure to field a candidate for the 2026 polls in the state is more of an advantage for the Governor’s re-election bid as the party’s structure, apart from a few strong men, still works for the Accord. Omisore’s loyalists’ defection Another major advantage the governor has is the defection of Senator Iyiola Omisore’s loyalists to the Accord Party due to the fallout of the APC primaries. Although Omisore did not leave the APC, many of his associates who served in the Gboyega Oyetola administration, including three commissioners and Special Advisers, left the party and joined the Accord.It is also believed that Governor Adeleke has an advantage in the Osun-West Senatorial District, where he won massively in 2022. Interestingly, the APC candidate is also from the district, which may lead to a division of votes cast during the polls. Ede federal constituency, which the Governor hails from, consisting of Ede-North, Ede-South, Egbedore and Ejigbo local governments, has a total of 319,489 registered voters. This is a major advantage for the governor who still retains hold on the senatorial district. Challenges The governor’s major problems stem from his policy decisions early in his administration. The opposition cites the sacking of teachers and health workers without replacements; the sacking of media workers of the State-owned broadcast stations and the administration’s failure to recruit civil servants as a minus for his re-election bid. The administration is facing serious allegation of nepotism, with outcry over recent employment into the teaching service and the University of Ilesa favouring Ede indigenes and shutting out other towns. Also, the governor’s dismal performance in major sectors like agriculture, health, commerce, industry and education form major issues for his opponents’ campaign strategies. Another factor that may affect the fortunes of the governor is that a major PDP bloc loyal to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has publicly dumped the governor for the candidate of the APM, Mr Adewale Adebayo. Oyebamiji’s pro
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