Osun Decides 2026: Adeleke
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party has moved significantly closer to securing a second term in office after results from 25 of Osun State’s 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) gave him a commanding lead over his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The latest figures announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the state collation centre in Osogbo show Adeleke polling 431,760 votes, while Oyebamiji has secured 364,425 votes, leaving the incumbent governor with a substantial lead of 67,335 votes.
With only five LGAs left to be announced, political observers believe Adeleke has placed himself in a strong position to retain the governorship, barring any dramatic reversal in the outstanding results.
Adeleke Dominates Majority of LGAs
A breakdown of the results announced so far shows that Adeleke has won 18 of the 25 LGAs declared, while Oyebamiji has taken victory in seven.
The governor recorded impressive margins in several of his traditional strongholds, including Osogbo, Ede North, Ede South, Iwo, Ife East and Ife North.
In Osogbo, the state capital, Adeleke polled 36,480 votes, defeating Oyebamiji who scored 30,474 votes.
His most dominant performance came in Ede North, where he secured 35,427 votes against Oyebamiji’s 10,283 votes, helping to widen the overall gap between the two leading contenders.
Oyebamiji Holds Ground in Key APC Areas
Despite trailing statewide, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji demonstrated significant strength in several local governments, particularly in his home base and APC strongholds.
One of his most notable victories came in Irewole LGA, where he polled 29,972 votes, defeating Adeleke who secured 10,934 votes.
Oyebamiji also emerged victorious in Boripe, Ilesa East, Obokun, Irepodun, Atakunmosa West, Ifedayo and Odo-Otin LGAs, underscoring the APC’s continued influence in parts of Osun State.
However, the margins recorded by Adeleke in his strongest areas have so far outweighed the APC candidate’s victories elsewhere.
ADC Candidate Trails Distantly
The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, remains a distant third in the race with 10,574 votes from the 25 LGAs announced.
The figures suggest that the contest has effectively remained a two-horse race between Adeleke and Oyebamiji.
Awaiting Final Verdict
As collation continues, attention is now focused on the remaining five LGAs whose results are yet to be officially announced by INEC.
While the final outcome will only be confirmed after all results are collated and declared, the current numbers indicate that Governor Adeleke has built a lead that may prove difficult for his opponents to overcome.
The coming hours are expected to determine whether Osun voters have handed Adeleke another four-year mandate or whether any late surprises remain in the race.
As of the latest official collation, Adeleke leads with 431,760 votes against Oyebamiji’s 364,425 votes, a margin of 67,335 votes.
