Osun Governorship Race Open as Last-Minute Political Realignments Reshape Election Landscape

OSOGBO — Intense political horse-trading, factional endorsements, and last-minute withdrawals by smaller parties have left the Osun State governorship election wide open, with no clear front-runner among the candidates on the ballot.

The political landscape shifted significantly following the decision by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to publicly adopt the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The move followed reported political friction between Oyinlola and incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the platform of the Accord Party.

Concurrently, smaller political parties have begun realigning their structures. The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, formally stepped down to support Oyebamiji, while factions within the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) remain divided between backing Adeleke and Oyebamiji.

Despite the intense alignments around the APC and Accord Party candidates, former Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) remains a key contender. Following speculations regarding potential alliances, ADC leaders publicly confirmed that the party will not merge with any opposition group and intends to contest the election independently.

With campaign activities officially wrapping up, political analysts suggest that high voter secrecy and shifting party loyalties make the outcome of the contest unpredictable ahead of voting day.