COMPLETE RESULTS: Osun State Governorship Election: Who Emerged Victorious and Who Fell Short

n n

The August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election is now over.

n

Following intense campaigns and political activities across the 30 Local Government Areas in Osun, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke re-elected for a second term.

n

Contesting on the platform of the Accord Party, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 444,815 votes.

n

The INEC declaration marked the conclusion of the off-cycle poll, which was preceded by controversies, allegations, pre-election violence and bloodshed.

n

Below is a list of some of the key winners and losers in the aftermath of the election, with brief backgrounds on their roles and activities before the poll.

n

Winners

n

Ademola Adeleke

n

The incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate secured a second term despite facing the APC, which controls the Federal Government.

n

First elected in 2022 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adeleke later moved to the Accord Party after his reported planned move to the APC did not materialise.

n

His campaign emphasised continuity in infrastructure projects, education reforms and grassroots engagement.

n

Strong performances in his Ede base and several other LGAs helped deliver his winning margin of 66,252 votes.

n

Accord Party

n

The victory marked the first time the Accord Party has won a governorship election in Osun State.

n

The party provided the platform for Adeleke’s re-election bid after his exit from the PDP, mobilising structures across the state and attracting some defectors.

n

The victory is a boost for the party’s presence in Osun politics.

n

Davido (David Adeleke)

n

The Afrobeats star and nephew of the governor was a high-profile mobiliser for Adeleke’s campaign.

n

He reportedly suspended aspects of his music commitments to lead youth mobilisation for the Imole campaign, appeared at rallies and used social media to urge vigilance and support.

n

He celebrated the victory publicly on Sunday.

n

Osun voters

n

More than one million voters were accredited for the election, according to the result announced by INEC.

n

Their votes determined the outcome of the contest across the 30 LGAs, with Adeleke securing a second term.

n

Ataoja of Osogbo

n

The traditional ruler of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Laaroye, openly endorsed Adeleke, citing the governor’s developmental projects in the town, including infrastructure such as the Lameco flyover.

n

At a commissioning event, he stated that if he were a politician, he would have asked all Osogbo people to vote for Adeleke en masse.

n

He also reportedly faced threats linked to his support for the governor.

n

Timi of Ede (Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal)

n

The traditional ruler of Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, consistently backed the governor.

n

He called on Ede residents to vote massively to offset any shortfalls elsewhere and expressed confidence in Adeleke’s support in the town.

n

The monarch once admitted that he intentionally left the palace on the day APC candidate Oyebamiji was scheduled to pay a visit.

n

The palace maintained its relationship with the Adeleke family and dismissed claims that it had withdrawn its support.

n

Losers

n

Bola Oyebamiji

n

The APC candidate and former Osun Commissioner for Finance won 11 LGAs and polled 444,815 votes but lost the overall contest.

n

His campaign focused on his experience in fiscal management and a call for a “new direction.”

n

APC

n

The main opposition party in the state fielded Oyebamiji and secured second place, with strong performances in several of its strongholds.

n

Despite backing from federal and state-level figures and efforts to strengthen internal cohesion, the party could not unseat the incumbent.

n

Rauf Aregbesola

n

The former Osun governor (2010–2018) and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress backed the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam.

n

His influence was tested as a potential third force, but the party finished third.

n

He also lost his polling unit.

n

Olagunsoye Oyinlola

n

The former Osun governor (2003–2010) and PDP chieftain shifted his support to the APC candidate ahead of the poll, endorsing Oyebamiji alongside other leaders and citing the need for a different direction.

n

His polling unit, however, was won by Accord.

n

Iyiola Omisore

n

The former deputy governor, senator and APC National Secretary was sidelined during the APC primary process before he and his supporters later aligned with Oyebamiji.

n

Some of his former supporters had earlier moved towards Adeleke.

n

His polling unit was won by Accord.

n

Adegboyega Oyetola

n

The former Osun governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy was a key APC figure who backed Oyebamiji’s emergence and campaigned for the party.

n

He voted in Iragbiji and praised the turnout.

n

Ero Arike (Alhaja Falilat Yusuf)

n

The prominent APC grassroots mobiliser and businesswoman campaigned for Oyebamiji, including distributing rice, reportedly attributed to a former first lady, while urging voters to support the APC candidate.

n

Reports indicated that her polling unit went heavily to Accord. Although some reports suggest otherwise.

n

Monday Okpebholo

n

The Edo State governor chaired the APC primary committee that produced Oyebamiji by consensus.

n

He later visited Osun to campaign for the APC candidate, rallying Edo indigenes and other residents of the state to support Oyebamiji.

n

Hope Uzodimma

n

The Imo State governor joined other APC governors in campaigning for Oyebamiji and publicly predicted Adeleke’s defeat.

n

He also engaged in exchanges with Davido over the election.

n

Francis Fadahunsi

n

The senator representing Osun East was a vocal APC supporter who campaigned for Oyebamiji.

n

He made controversial statements urging supporters to “kill Accord,” which drew a police invitation, legal action and widespread criticism in the final days before the election.

n

On election day, he also urged his followers to monitor voters and “deal with” non-supporters.

n

The election underscored the influence of incumbency, traditional institutions, celebrity mobilisation and grassroots dynamics in Osun politics.

n

Adeleke’s return for a second term sets the stage for continued governance under the Accord banner, while the opposition assesses its defeat.

n n