On Saturday 15 August 2026, voters across Osun State headed to the polls. The Osun governorship election 2026 was one of Nigeria’s most anticipated races. By Sunday morning, INEC had declared Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner. He has secured a second four-year term in office.
Final Results — At a Glance
The Independent National Electoral Commission announced the official results at the collation centre in Osogbo. Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, the Returning Officer, declared the outcome at 7:49 AM on Sunday.
Candidate Party Votes %
Ademola Adeleke (Incumbent) Accord Party 511,067 51.9%
Bola Oyebamiji APC 444,815 45.2%
Najeem Salaam ADC 17,180 1.7%
Others — ~12,000 1.2%
Total valid votes cast: 985,079 | Turnout: ~43.2% of registered voters
The Race — Three Major Contenders
The Osun governorship election 2026 was keenly contested between three major political forces. Governor Ademola Adeleke, running on the Accord Party platform, sought a second term after his 2022 victory on the PDP ticket. He campaigned on his record of infrastructure development, workers’ welfare, and educational reforms.
His main challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, presented himself as an economic expert ready to tackle poverty and insecurity. He previously served as Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority. Meanwhile, Najeem Salaam of the ADC, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, ran as a third force promising to restore peace and create jobs.
Before Adeleke: 4 Men Who Once Held the Osun Government House
Election Day — Process & Challenges
Voting took place across 3,763 polling units. Officials deployed 4,427 BVAS devices for accreditation. The process tested new provisions under the Electoral Act 2026, including electronic result transmission via the EC8A system. However, the election was preceded by weeks of tension, with all parties raising concerns about political violence, vote-buying, and voter intimidation. In fact, Governor Adeleke publicly raised alarm over alleged attempts to buy voter cards and extract PINs from voters before election day.
Reactions — Jubilation in Osogbo
The declaration triggered wild celebrations across the state. Supporters of the Accord Party took to the streets of Osogbo, singing and dancing in celebration of their candidate’s victory. Adeleke won in 19 of the 30 Local Government Areas, showing broad support across the state. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the people of Osun State, saying: “This victory belongs to you. You have renewed our mandate, and we will not let you down.”
The APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, has not yet formally conceded, and it remains unclear whether he will challenge the results in court. Meanwhile, INEC has confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony for the new term will take place on 27 November 2026.
What This Means for Osun & Nigeria
The Osun governorship election 2026 result is significant beyond the state. It marks one of the few times an incumbent has won re-election in the South-West in recent years. Furthermore, it serves as a critical bellwether for the 2027 general elections, offering insights into shifting voter sentiments across the region. Ultimately, the outcome reflects the will of the people, and the stage is now set for another four years of governance under the Adeleke administration.
📌 Follow all the latest political news, election analysis, and community stories right here on MayGist! 🇳🇬✨
Instagram: @MayGistv • Facebook: MayGist • YouTube: MayGistv • X: @MayGistv
Email: info@maygist.com