Voters across Osun State are casting ballots today to choose the next governor for a four-year term, with the incumbent seeking re-election amid a crowded field of 15 political parties. The off-cycle poll, which will determine who occupies the Bola Ige Government House, comes after a campaign period marred by violence and concerns over electoral integrity.
A Three-Way Contest Takes Shape
Governor Ademola Adeleke, whose first term ends in November, is running on the Accord Party ticket. His main challengers are Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), making the race a likely three-way contest, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Two candidates have formally withdrawn from the race but will still appear on the ballot. Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has declared support for Oyebamiji, while Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is backing Adeleke. Their names remain on the ballot, which could affect vote distribution.
Full Candidate List and Voter Statistics
INEC has confirmed the following candidates for the governorship election:
- Ademola Adeleke (Accord)
- Bola Oyebamiji (APC)
- Najeem Salaam (ADC)
- Olanrewaju Farinloye (AA)
- Esan Olajide (AAC)
- Adeagbo Opawoye (ADP)
- Clement Adesuyi (APP)
- Masilo Adeleke (BP)
- Taofeek Adeleke (NNPP)
- Saliu Oyelami (PRP)
- Ogunsakin Olalekan (YPP)
- Adefemi Adesuyi (ZLP)
- Francis Olugbenga (SDP)
Francis Olugbenga was added to the list on Wednesday following a court judgment. Osun has 2,339,233 registered voters, but only 1,906,390—representing 81.50 percent—have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and are eligible to vote. The election will take place across 3,763 polling units in 332 wards spanning the state’s 30 local government areas.
Security Concerns and Preparations
The build-up to the election has been tense, with reports indicating over 70 incidents of violence and about 30 deaths in recent months. INEC has identified 385 flashpoints across 13 local government areas, raising concerns about the safety of voters and election officials.
During a recent visit to the state, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, a professor of law who assumed office last year, assured that “ballot, not bullet” would decide the winner. He said additional security personnel would be deployed to curb election-related violence.
In response, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed 15,000 personnel to Osun, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sent 10,214 personnel along with specialised tactical units. Other security agencies have also dispatched officers to the state.
A Test for INEC and the Electoral Act 2026
This off-cycle election is the second of the year and the last before the 2027 general election. It serves as a litmus test for INEC’s preparedness, particularly under Amupitan’s leadership. The poll is also the third major election conducted since the Electoral Act 2026 was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in February. That law introduced new guidelines on election conduct, and today’s outcome will offer an early indication of how those rules are being implemented in practice.
What to Watch
With the withdrawal of two candidates and the presence of several lesser-known parties, voter turnout and the distribution of votes among the smaller contenders could prove decisive. The ability of security forces to maintain peace at the 385 identified flashpoints will be closely monitored, as will the efficiency of the voting process itself.
For Osun residents, the election represents a choice about the state’s direction over the next four years. For the rest of the country, it offers a preview of the electoral environment ahead of the 2027 general election.
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