OSOGBO — All eyes will be on Osun State tomorrow, August 15, 2026, as residents go to the polls to elect their next governor in a contest shaped by political realignments, local government disputes, defections and allegations of political violence .
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the election is the latest chapter in a political contest that began with the 2022 governorship poll, when Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress by 403,371 votes to 375,027 .
CDA News Nigeria reports that the political landscape has changed substantially. Governor Adeleke, who won the 2022 election on the PDP platform, is seeking a second term under the Accord Party, while Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has backed APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji . Former Osun Speaker Najeem Salaam is also contesting under the African Democratic Congress .
Frontline Contenders
Ademola Adeleke (Accord Party): The incumbent governor is campaigning on his governance record, including infrastructure projects across the three senatorial districts. He enjoys support from labour unions and traditional rulers like the Ataoja of Osogbo . However, a faction of the Accord Party led by its National Chairman, Prof. Christopher Imumolen, has withdrawn support and endorsed the APC candidate .
Bola Oyebamiji (APC): The 60-year-old banker and former NIWA Managing Director is banking on support from President Bola Tinubu and APC governors. His “Prosperity Agenda” focuses on poverty reduction, workers’ welfare, and job creation . He has also received defections from federal lawmakers from Osun-East Senatorial District .
Najeem Salaam (ADC): The former Speaker and political ally of ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola is running on a 10-point agenda. He has expressed confidence in winning, stating, “Adeleke and AMBO won’t stop my victory on Saturday” .
Election Preparations
The Independent National Electoral Commission has deployed 4,427 BVAS devices across 3,763 polling units for 2,339,233 registered voters . The commission recently reprinted ballot papers to accommodate the Social Democratic Party candidate following a court order, increasing participating parties to 15 .
Security agencies have deployed 15,000 police officers, 10,210 NSCDC personnel, and Army troops to ensure a peaceful poll . Yiaga Africa and other CSOs will observe the process, with 300 stationary and 32 mobile observers deployed across all 30 LGAs .
All rights reserved ©2026 CDA News Nigeria.
Contact: info@cdanews.ng | www.cdanews.ng | +2348030980314
Address: 348 Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
