D-Day for Osun Governorship Election

By Temitope Adebiyi, Correspondent

The serious battle between the 15 political gladiators for the 2026 Governorship Election in Osun State  takes place today.

The campaigns are over. Today, the Osun voters have to decide who governs the State of the Living Spring for the next four years.

From the incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke (Accord Party) seeking another term to former Finance Commissioner Bola Oyebamiji (APC) and ex-Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salam (ADC), various political contenders are flying different party flags in the battle for Osun residents’ votes.

The leading 15 candidates representing each of the political parties approved by the electoral regulators are:

1. Accord Party (A) — Ademola Adeleke

The incumbent governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, is seeking re-election and another four years at the helm of affairs in the state.

2. Action Alliance (AA) — Olanrewaju Farinloye

Olanrewaju Farinloye is the Action Alliance candidate, joining the crowded field of contenders seeking to lead Osun.

3. African Action Congress (AAC) — Olajide Esan

Representing the African Action Congress, Olajide Esan is also in the race, offering voters another political alternative.

4. African Democratic Congress (ADC) — Najeem Salam

Najeem Salam brings considerable political experience to the contest. He is a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and the ADC’s candidate.

5. African Democratic Party (ADP) — Adeagbo Opawoye

Adeagbo Opawoye is the African Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, seeking to provide an alternative leadership option for the state.

6. All Progressives Congress (APC) — Bola Oyebamiji

Former Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, is flying the APC flag and is among the major contenders for the state’s leadership.

7. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) — Adesina Adeyemi-Doro

Adesina Adeyemi-Doro is the APGA candidate, hoping to secure enough support across the state to emerge victorious.

8. Allied Peoples Movement (APM) — Adewale Adebayo

Adewale Adebayo represents the Allied Peoples Movement in the governorship contest.

9. Action Peoples Party (APP) — Clement Adesuyi

Clement Adesuyi is the Action Peoples Party candidate, joining the battle for the Osun Government House.

10. Boot Party (BP) — Masilo Adeleke

Masilo Adeleke is contesting under the Boot Party, adding another voice to the 2026 governorship race.

11. New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) — Taofeek Adeleke.

Taofeek Adeleke is the NNPP candidate seeking the mandate of Osun voters to lead the state.

12. Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) — Saliu Oyelami

Saliu Oyelami is contesting on the Peoples Redemption Party platform, seeking to make his party’s presence felt at the polls.

13. Young Progressives Party (YPP) — Olalekan Ogunsakin

Olalekan Ogunsakin is the YPP candidate, hoping to attract voters seeking an alternative to the established political parties.

14. Social Democratic Party (SDP) — Francis Ajala

Francis Ajala is the Social Democratic Party candidate, offering another political option to voters in the governorship race.

15. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — Adefemi Adesuyi

Adefemi Adesuyi is the Zenith Labour Party candidate, completing the list of 15 contenders in the Osun governorship race.

With 15 candidates on the ballot, the election promises to be a battle of personalities, political parties, and competing visions for Osun State.

While Adeleke, Oyebamiji, and Najeem Salam are among the major contenders attracting significant attention, the other candidates will also look to spring surprises at the polls.