As Osun State prepares for the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, no fewer than 14 candidates from 14 political parties are on the ballot, setting the stage for a competitive contest across the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed August 15 as the date for the Osun governorship election. The final list includes the incumbent governor, former commissioners, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, entrepreneurs, technocrats and other candidates seeking to present alternative choices to the electorate.
Although 14 candidates are contesting, the race has largely been dominated by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The other candidates are also campaigning on issues including good governance, accountability, job creation, economic development, education, healthcare, youth empowerment and improved welfare.
The Candidates
1. Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party
The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, is seeking a second term in office.
Adeleke first contested the Osun governorship election in 2018 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), losing to APC candidate Gboyega Oyetola.
He returned to the race in 2022 and defeated Oyetola to become governor, taking office on November 27, 2022.
Now contesting under the Accord Party, Adeleke is seeking another four-year mandate to continue his administration’s programmes and policies.
2. Bola Oyebamiji — APC
The APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, is a former Osun Commissioner for Finance and former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
An indigene of Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area, Oyebamiji served as Commissioner for Finance from 2017 to 2022 under the administrations of Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.
He resigned as NIWA Managing Director in November 2025 to pursue his governorship ambition.
His campaign has focused on tackling poverty and hunger while prioritising agriculture, education, healthcare and human-capital development.
3. Najeem Salaam — ADC
Najeem Salaam is one of the most experienced politicians in the race.
The former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly represented Ejigbo and spent several years in the state legislature.
He first won election to the Assembly in 2007, returned in 2011 and became Speaker, a position he held until 2015. He was re-elected in 2017 and remained in the legislature until 2019.
Salaam is campaigning on a promise of people-centred governance and says his administration would build on the positive achievements of previous governments while addressing existing gaps.
4. Olanrewaju Farinloye — Action Alliance
Olanrewaju “Emanuel” Farinloye is the Action Alliance candidate and an indigene of Ilesa.
He has presented his candidacy as a call to public service and an alternative to the dominant political parties.
His campaign centres on service, grassroots engagement and providing Osun voters with another leadership option.
5. Olajide Esan — AAC
At 39, Olajide Esan is among the younger candidates in the race.
The entrepreneur and car dealer emerged as the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate through a consensus arrangement.
Esan has made transparency and citizen participation key components of his campaign. One of his proposals is a public financial dashboard that would enable residents to monitor government spending.
6. Adeagbo Opawoye — ADP
Adeagbo Opawoye is the candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and the only female governorship candidate on the ballot.
A retired school principal, Opawoye is offering voters an alternative leadership option in a contest dominated by male candidates.
Her campaign focuses on workers’ welfare, human development and improved governance.
7. Adesina Adeyemi-Doro — APGA
Prince Adesina Olusanya Adeyemi-Doro is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He has described his ambition as a commitment to responsible leadership, sustainable development and repositioning Osun rather than a pursuit of personal ambition.
His campaign priorities include agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and inclusive governance.
8. Adewale Adebayo — APM
Adewale Adebayo is the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
A real estate developer and Chief Executive Officer of Tri Edge Real Estate, Adebayo also has an academic background in public administration and economic policy.
His campaign focuses on fighting corruption, creating employment opportunities and providing what he describes as effective executive leadership for Osun State.
9. Clement Adesuyi — APP
Clement Adesuyi is the candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP).
He emerged as the party’s governorship standard-bearer in December 2025.
His campaign priorities include youth empowerment, healthcare, education and infrastructure, which he considers critical to the state’s development.
10. Adeleke Masilo — Boot Party
Adeleke Masilo, a graduate of the University of Ilorin, is contesting under the Boot Party.
He previously contested for the Senate in 2023 but was unsuccessful.
For the governorship election, Masilo is campaigning on a people-focused administration with citizens’ welfare at the centre of government policy.
11. Taofeek Adeleke — NNPP
Taofeek Adeleke is the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
He emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in December 2025 and has positioned himself as an alternative to the established political forces in Osun.
His campaign promises sustainable development and a different approach to governance.
12. Saliu Oyelami — PRP
Saliu Oyelami is flying the flag of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
His candidacy gives voters another option beyond the major political parties.
Oyelami has joined the crowded field of candidates seeking to convince Osun residents that a different political direction is possible.
13. Olalekan Ogunsakin — YPP
Olalekan Ogunsakin is the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate.
His campaign is targeting voters seeking a departure from Osun’s traditional political establishment.
He is presenting the YPP as an alternative platform for residents who want a fresh direction in governance.
14. Adefemi Adesuyi — ZLP
Adefemi Adesuyi is the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate.
He has positioned himself as an alternative to the dominant political parties, appealing to voters dissatisfied with the influence of the major political blocs.
His campaign focuses on accountable and citizen-driven governance, improved public services, economic opportunities and greater public participation in monitoring government performance.
What to Watch on August 15
With 14 candidates on the ballot, the Osun governorship election presents voters with a broad range of political choices.
However, the spotlight remains firmly on the contest involving Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam, who have emerged as the most prominent figures in the race.
The smaller parties and their candidates are hoping that issues such as youth participation, public dissatisfaction, accountability, economic hardship and demands for improved welfare will translate into votes.
For Adeleke, the election is a battle to retain power and secure a second term. For Oyebamiji and Salaam, it represents an opportunity to unseat the incumbent and take control of the Osun State Government House.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the electorate across Osun State, who will determine on August 15 whether Adeleke continues in office or the state gets a new governor.
Source: Vanguard News
