As Osun State set to elect its next governor on August 15, 2026, voters will have 13 candidates to choose from across the political spectrum. The contest features the incumbent, former commissioners, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, entrepreneurs, technocrats and candidates offering themselves as alternatives to the dominant political blocs. While the major battle is expected to revolve around the leading candidates of the Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the other contenders are also campaigning on platforms centred on good governance, accountability, economic development and improved welfare. Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, is seeking another term after a political journey that saw him move from business into elective politics. Before his political career, Adeleke had business and corporate interests in Nigeria and the United States. He first contested the Osun governorship election in 2018 on the PDP platform but lost to APC candidate Gboyega Oyetola. Four years later, he defeated Oyetola to become governor, taking office on November 27, 2022. The 2026 election therefore represents Adeleke’s attempt to secure a fresh mandate and extend his administration for another four years. Bola Oyebamiji — APC The APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, brings considerable experience in finance and public administration to the contest. Popularly known as AMBO, Oyebamiji served as Osun commissioner for finance between 2017 and 2022 under the administrations of Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola. An indigene of Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area, he subsequently became managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). He resigned from the position in November 2025 to pursue his governorship ambition. His campaign has placed emphasis on tackling poverty and hunger while investing in agriculture, education, healthcare and human capital. Najeem Salaam — ADC Najeem Salaam is one of the more experienced political figures in the race. The ADC candidate, who hails from Ejigbo, holds a doctorate in political science and has spent years in Osun politics. He was first elected to the Osun State House of Assembly in 2007, although the result was later nullified by the Court of Appeal over the omission of his party’s logo from the ballot paper. Salaam returned to the Assembly in 2011 and subsequently became Speaker, a position he held from 2011 to 2015. He was re-elected in 2017 and remained in the Assembly until 2019. He says he is running to build on the achievements of previous administrations while addressing gaps in governance and delivering a people-centred government. Olanrewaju Farinloye — Action Alliance Olanrewaju “Emanuel” Farinloye is the Action Alliance candidate. A native of Ilesa, he has presented his candidacy as a call to public service rather than a pursuit of personal ambition. “This moment is not about ambition. It is about duty,” Farinloye said while introducing himself to voters, describing himself as a son, brother and friend of the people of Osun. Olajide Esan — AAC At 39, Olajide Esan represents a younger generation of candidates in the election. The entrepreneur and car dealer emerged as the African Action Congress candidate through a consensus arrangement. Esan has campaigned strongly on transparency and citizen participation. One of his proposals is a public financial dashboard through which residents would be able to monitor government spending. He has also promised to tackle vote-buying and create mechanisms that would make public officials more accountable to residents Adeagbo Opawoye — ADP Adeagbo Opawoye is the candidate of the African Democratic Party. She is identified as the sole female candidate among the 14 parties cleared for the election. A retired school principal, Adeagbo is presenting herself through a leadership model that emphasises workers’ welfare and human development. Her campaign seeks to provide voters with a female alternative in a contest dominated by male candidates. Adeleke Masilo — Boot Party Adeleke Masilo, a University of Ilorin graduate, is contesting on the platform of the Boot Party. He previously sought election to the Senate in 2023 but was unsuccessful. For the governorship race, Masilo is campaigning on the promise of a people-focused administration, with citizens’ welfare and wellbeing at the centre of governance. Adewale Adebayo — APM Adewale Adebayo is contesting on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement. A real estate developer and chief executive officer of Tri Edge Real Estate, he also has an academic b
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