Osun 2026 Governorship Election: Adeleke, Oyebamiji, Salaam Battle for Votes Across 10 Key Battleground LGAs

Ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, the three leading candidates incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Dr. Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have intensified campaign efforts to secure critical local government areas. With all primary contenders hailing from the Osun West Senatorial District, political strategists note that the outcome of the poll will largely depend on key battleground local councils where no single candidate holds a dominant voting block.

Governor Adeleke enters the contest relying on incumbency advantages, infrastructure projects executed during his first term, and expected block votes from his home constituency in Ede North, Ede South, and Egbedore Local Government Areas. His campaign is also targeting significant support in Ife Central, Ife East, and Ife South through his running mate Kola Adewusi, as well as Iwo LGA, where former Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti holds political influence. However, Adeleke’s prospects in the Ife zone face stiff competition from Oyebamiji’s running mate, Benjamin Adereti, an Ile-Ife native who anchors the APC’s outreach in the area.

APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji is focusing on consolidating support within the Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency while pressing for crucial gains in Boluwaduro, Boripe, Irepodun, Ife North, Obokun, and the Atakunmosa areas. Oyebamiji’s campaign also relies on political networks linked to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to deliver Odo Otin LGA, though opposition from current House of Assembly leadership makes the council highly competitive. Meanwhile, ADC candidate Dr. Najeem Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, draws support from his native Ejigbo LGA alongside political factions aligned with former Governor Rauf Aregbesola across major urban centers, including Osogbo, Olorunda, and Ilesa East.

Electoral analysts identify ten local government areas as decisive battlegrounds that could determine the final outcome: Osogbo, Olorunda, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife South, Odo Otin, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Iwo, and Egbedore. In the capital territory of Osogbo and Olorunda, traditional endorsements favoring Adeleke are balanced by aggressive campaigning from APC leaders and ADC grassroots networks. Similarly, multi-party alignments and local rivalries in Ilesa East, Ilesa West, and Iwo leave voters divided among the top contenders.

Both primary political camps remain confident of victory across the state’s 30 local government council areas. APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi stated that Oyebamiji’s statewide tours demonstrate strong public acceptance that will produce victory at the polls. Accord Party spokesperson Oladele Bamiji maintained that Adeleke’s developmental record over the past three years guarantees a successful re-election bid.

To maintain order and prevent electoral infractions, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has deployed a special delegation led by retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu to monitor police conduct throughout the state. A total of 15,000 police officers have been stationed across voting districts, with strict directives to remain apolitical, protect voters, and uphold professional standards as 14 political parties compete in Saturday’s election.