By Osaretin OsadebamwenÂ
Voters across Osun State are today casting their ballots to elect a governor in a closely watched contest that has effectively narrowed into a three-way battle between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam.
The election, which has drawn national attention ahead of the 2027 general elections, is taking place across the state’s 30 local government areas and 3,763 polling units, with more than 2.3 million registered voters eligible to participate.
The contest pits Adeleke’s bid for a second term against the APC’s attempt to regain control of Osun and the ADC’s effort to break the dominance of the two major political forces.
The three leading candidates are all from Osun West Senatorial District, adding a strong regional dimension to an already competitive race.
Security has remained one of the biggest concerns surrounding the poll. At least 73 election-related violent incidents were recorded in Osun between October 2025 and July 2026, according to a pre-election assessment.
The report said 54 of those incidents, representing 78 per cent, occurred between May and July as political activities intensified.
The violence has heightened concerns among voters, political parties and civil society groups about intimidation, voter suppression and possible disruption of the electoral process. The Nigerian Bar Association had also urged security agencies to remain professional and neutral, warning against political violence during the election.
Authorities have consequently placed significant emphasis on security and the protection of voters, electoral officials and materials. President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
The election is also taking place against the backdrop of controversy over the freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) shortly before the poll.
Tinubu subsequently directed the EFCC to approach the court to vacate the freezing order, saying the timing of the action could create the impression that federal institutions were being deployed to influence the electoral process.
The account controversy has added another layer to an election already marked by intense political accusations, defections, endorsements and counter-endorsements.
As voting progresses, attention will focus on turnout, the conduct of security personnel, the performance of electoral officials and the ability of the competing parties to mobilise their supporters without violence.
Beyond determining who occupies the Osun Government House, the outcome is expected to send an important political signal about the strength of the major opposition blocs and the ruling establishment ahead of the 2027 elections.
For now, the immediate test is whether Osun can deliver a peaceful, transparent and credible election in which the votes of its citizens determine the next governor.
INEC cleared 14 political parties and their governorship candidates to contest the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The candidates are Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Farinloye Olarenwaju of the Action Alliance (AA), Esan Olajide of the African Action Congress (AAC), Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Adeagbo Opawoye of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), .
The electoral umpire also cleared Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Adewale Adebayo of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Clement Adesuyi of the Action Peoples Party (APP) and Masilo Adeleke of the Boot Party (BP).
Others are Taofeek Adeleke of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Saliu Oyelami of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Ogunsakin Olalekan of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Adefemi Adesuyi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
However, the APGA candidate, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, subsequently withdrew from the race and endorsed the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Despite the withdrawal, his name remains on the ballot because the withdrawal occurred after the statutory deadline for changes to the ballot.
Consequently, while 14 candidates were cleared and appear on the ballot, the active contest has effectively narrowed to 13 candidates.
The absence of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) from the final list is also significant.
Governor Ademola Adeleke is contesting under the Accord Party after leaving the PDP, while the APC and ADC are fielding Bola Oyebamiji and Najeem Salaam respectively.
The election features a broad field of candidates, although political attention has largely focused on the battle among Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam.
