OSOGBO — As Saturday’s Osun State governorship election draws near, political analysts have identified 10 local government areas that could ultimately determine whether Governor Ademola Adeleke secures a second term or the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, stages a return to power .
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the three leading candidates—Adeleke of the Accord Party, Oyebamiji of the APC, and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress—have intensified campaigns across key battleground councils, with all hailing from Osun West Senatorial District .
CDA News Nigeria reports that the identified battlegrounds include Osogbo, Olorunda, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife South, Odo Otin, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Iwo, and Egbedore Local Government Areas . Osogbo and Olorunda, which together account for nearly 18 per cent of the state’s 2.3 million registered voters, are considered critical swing areas where traditional endorsements and aggressive campaigning could tilt the balance .
Governor Adeleke, banking on block votes from his hometown Ede and infrastructure projects executed during his tenure, also eyes the three Ife councils through his running mate, Kola Adewusi, while Oyebamiji counters with his running mate Benjamin Adereti, who hails from Ile-Ife . The APC candidate is expected to perform strongly in Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency and areas tied to Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, while Salaam benefits from former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s influence in urban centres .
Opinion polls suggest a tight race, with APC holding a slim lead at 48 per cent against Accord’s 45 per cent, leaving the remaining votes distributed among other candidates . The outcome in these 10 local governments will likely decide who emerges victorious on August 15 .
All rights reserved ©2026 CDA News Nigeria.
Contact: info@cdanews.ng | www.cdanews.ng | +2348030980314
Address: 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
