Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party has been declared winner of the 2026 Osun State off cycle governorship election held on Saturday.
He defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, by 66,252 votes in a closely contested poll marked by high voter turnout, security concerns, widespread violence and doubts over the integrity of the electoral process.
The election was held across 3,763 polling units on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Collation was concluded on Sunday.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, announced the result early Sunday after the collation of results from the 30 local government areas of the state.
Adeleke won 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.
The result secures Adeleke another term in office after a keenly contest election in which both major contenders recorded substantial victories in their respective strongholds.
Adeleke recorded his strongest margins in Ede North and Ede South, where he polled 35,427 and 26,188 votes respectively, against Oyebamiji’s 10,283 and 6,219 votes.
He also won Ife East with 27,201 votes to Oyebamiji’s 18,600; Egbedore with 19,278 to 11,194; and Iwo with 27,085 to 19,660.
In Osogbo, the state capital, Adeleke polled 36,480 votes against Oyebamiji’s 30,474.
The Election Day violence was not different from the widespread pre-election incidents, that recorded deaths and wanton destruction of properties.
Adeleke Alleges Plot to Manipulate Results
Before the conclusion of voting and collation, Governor Adeleke had raised an alarm over an alleged plot by the APC to substitute authentic results from polling units with fabricated figures.
Speaking shortly after casting his ballot in Ede, the governor also rejected any move to transfer local government collation from designated centres to Osogbo, insisting that results should be collated at the appropriate local government centres.
“I have voted and I ask Osun people to come out en masse to vote and defend their votes. Nobody can deny Osun people their rights to vote and be voted for.
“We have it on good authority that Osun APC has written fake results for some local governments. The APC is looking for ways to swap the fake results with the original results.
“Their plan is to move some local government collation centres to the state capital so that they can swap the results. We will resist such moves.
“All collation must be done at each local government. Under no circumstances should the local government coalition be taken to the state capital.
“I am winning this election with wide margins. I have God and the people,” he said.
Police arrest lawmaker, 179 suspected mercenaries
Security agencies also reported a series of arrests before and during the election.
The Osun State Police Command announced the arrest of a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, who represents Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, over alleged involvement in electoral offences.
According to the police, Inaolaji was arrested in Ikire alongside 146 suspected electoral mercenaries allegedly found at his residence.
The police also said more than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were recovered during the operation.
In a separate operation, police operatives arrested 33 suspected electoral mercenaries at Babs Hotel in Ede, bringing the total number of suspects arrested in the two operations to 179.
The suspects, comprising 30 males and three females, were reportedly brought into Osun from Ondo State and allegedly recruited by a politician to participate in unlawful electoral activities in exchange for financial inducement.
Four PVCs were recovered from the group, according to the police.
The command said investigations were ongoing to identify other individuals allegedly connected to the movement of the suspects and other electoral offences.
ADC Raises Agent Recognition Concerns
The ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, also raised concerns over the alleged non-recognition of some of his party agents at polling units.
The allegation came amid wider concerns raised by political actors over access to polling units and the ability of party agents to monitor voting, counting and the recording of results.
High Turnout Across Osun
Despite the incidents and allegations, voters turned out in large numbers across the state, with long queues observed at several polling units.
INEC officials deployed election materials and voting commenced in many locations, while security operatives maintained a strong presence, particularly in areas identified as potential flashpoints.
The National Treasurer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Diran Odeyemi, also commended INEC and security agencies for their handling of the election.
Odeyemi acknowledged earlier incidents of political violence, removal of campaign materials and other developments that had heightened tension in the state, but expressed optimism that the electorate would ultimately determine the outcome.
Oyebamiji Wins Key Local Government Areas
Although Adeleke secured the statewide victory, Oyebamiji recorded substantial victories in several local government areas.
The APC candidate won Irewole with 29,972 votes against Adeleke’s 10,934, giving him a margin of 19,038 votes.
He also defeated Adeleke in Boripe by 7,515 votes, Obokun by 4,097 and Ilesa East by 3,928 votes.
The distribution of the results reflected the competitiveness of the election, with both leading candidates recording significant margins in their respective strongholds.
With INEC having declared a winner, candidates and political parties dissatisfied with the outcome have the right to challenge the result before the appropriate election tribunal within the period prescribed by law.
Any petition would have to identify specific polling units affected by alleged irregularities and provide evidence of their effect on the declared result.
For now, Adeleke remains the declared winner with 511,067 votes, giving him a 66,252-vote lead over Oyebamiji.
Tinubu congratulates Adeleke
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was among the first to congratulate Governor Adeleke.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the victory is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in the country.
“I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him,” Tinubu said.
The President urged Adeleke to unite the people of the state for growth and progress regardless of political differences.
“I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress,” he added.
Tinubu also commended other contestants for their participation and saluted INEC and security agencies for a peaceful and transparent process.
“I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election. Their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture,” the President said.
President Tinubu further said: “The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land.”
The Imole Campaign Council also issued a statement calling on Oyebamiji to concede defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship.
Spokesman Pelumi Olajengbesi said figures from the IMOLE Situation Room showed clearly that the people had renewed their mandate for Adeleke.
“The will of the people, as expressed through their votes, is clear and must be respected. We therefore urge the APC candidate to put on the noble garment of a democrat, accept the verdict of the electorate and concede defeat,” the statement read.
The council urged INEC to remain faithful to results from polling units and protect the will of Osun voters.
“Osun State is bigger than anyone’s political ambition. An election is a contest in which the winner is decided by the electorate, not imposed on them,” Olajengbesi said.
Below is the full breakdown of results by LGA as announced by INEC Returning Officers:
In Boluwaduro, Returning Officer Prof Sola Omotola announced Accord 7,118, APC 7,050, ADC 179. Accredited voters were 14,662 with 14,478 valid votes.
In Ede South, Raji Oluwakemi announced Accord 26,188, ADC 390, APC 6,219. Accredited voters were 34,011.
In Ife North, Prof Tajudeen Opoola announced Accord 13,879, ADC 333, APC 9,613.
In Ilesa West, Prof Babatunde Omotoso announced Accord 16,196, ADC 673, APC 12,756.
In Ifedayo, Prof Babatope announced Accord 7,427, APC 6,836, ADC 115.
In Ilesa East, Prof. Chika Asogba announced Accord 12,280, ADC 504, APC 16,208.
In Ife Central, Prof. Adekoya Iromini announced Accord 21,171, ADC 747, APC 15,913.
In Boripe, Prof. Ahmed Sakiru announced Accord 12,448, ADC 379, APC 19,963.
In Irepodun, Babafunso Awe announced Accord 14,504, ADC 249, APC 15,713.
In Obokun, Dr Stephen Ojo announced Accord 12,023, ADC 205, APC 16,120.
In Orolu, Dr Akinkunmi Sunday announced Accord 12,352, ADC 236, APC 10,622.
In Osogbo, Udueke Maximilian announced Accord 36,480, ADC 1,503, APC 30,474.
In Oriade, Dr Olabode Olajide announced Accord 21,343, ADC 423, APC 14,863.
In Odo Otin, Prof. Adebola Aderibigbe announced Accord 18,003, ADC 377, APC 15,435.
In Ife East, Prof. Benjamin Omolayo announced Accord 27,201, ADC 935, APC 18,600.
In Ifelodun, Prof Olayiwola Fasonranti announced Accord 21,107, ADC 509, APC 18,396.
In Atakumosa West, Prof Adesiji Taiwo announced Accord 7,479, ADC 213, APC 10,037.
In Iwo, Mrs Koyejo Fasakin announced Accord 27,085, ADC 588, APC 19,660.
In Ede North, Associate Prof. Jacob Opele announced Accord 35,427, ADC 307, APC 10,283.
In Ila, Prof Oludolapo Amu announced Accord 16,211, ADC 259, APC 12,934.
In Irewole, Mr Wahudi announced Accord 10,934, ADC 275, APC 29,972.
In Ayedire, Dr Samuel Sunday announced Accord 11,073, ADC 148, APC 9,910.
In Atakumosa East, Prof Bukola Bolaji announced Accord 7,872, ADC 333, APC 9,936.
In Egbedore, Mrs Omolara announced Accord 19,278, ADC 363, APC 11,194.
In Ayedaade, Prof Fakayode announced Accord 16,681, ADC 331, APC 15,719.
In Isokan, Prof Anthony Fajinmi announced Accord 13,765, ADC 384, APC 14,063.
In Olaoluwa, Prof Temitope Babalola announced Accord 10,063, ADC 213, APC 10,782.
In Ife South, Prof Shittu Olugoke announced Accord 13,507, ADC 290, APC 14,678.
In Ejigbo, Prof Cicilia Akintayo announced Accord 18,458, ADC 5,053, APC 16,195.
In Olorunda, Prof Hilary Okoh announced Accord 23,514, ADC 666, APC 24,671.
Political observers say the result reflects sustained support for Adeleke’s administration in key urban and rural areas.
The governor is expected to address Osun people in the coming days ahead of his inauguration for his second and final term.
