The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the final list of candidates for the Osun State governorship election slated for August 15, 2026, signalling the commencement of active campaigns from March 11.
The announcement, contained inń a letter signed by INEC Secretary Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony on March 4, 2026, confirmed the participation of 14 political parties in the poll. Notably, both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party did not present candidates.
In a key development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, has named Benjamin Adereti, the party’s 2023 House of Representatives candidate for Ife Federal Constituency, as his running mate. Adereti, 48, who lost the last election to Bimbo Ajilesoro of the PDP, replaces former lawmaker Tunde Olatunji, previously listed as the APC deputy gubernatorial candidate.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) will field former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, alongside Yemisi Agiri as his running mate. Meanwhile, incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party has retained his deputy, Kola Adewusi. Other aspirants, including Adeyera Oluwabusola Adesola (New Nigeria Peoples Party), Abdulsalam Olamide (Zenith Labour Party), and Bello Muideen Yekeen (African Action Congress), have also announced their running mates.
The INEC had initially fixed the governorship election for August 8 but later rescheduled it to August 15, providing political parties a clear timeline to mobilise ahead of campaigns.
Speaking during a Ramadan lecture organised by the Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and League of Alfas in Osun, Oyebamiji emphasised grassroots mobilisation over federal influence, stating:
“There is no way we can rely on federal might because we have consulted stakeholders across all 30 local governments, traditional rulers, men, and women. We are working hard and will continue until we have the opportunity to be the governor of Osun State. There is nothing like federal might. We have to do our work and deliver in a very good manner, character, and behaviour to every citizen of Osun.”
Oyebamiji also urged eligible voters to secure their Permanent Voter’s Cards to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming election.
Highlighting his commitment to faith and integrity, guest lecturer Prof Kamaldeen Busari described Oyebamiji as a devoted Muslim, praising him as “not a religious impostor, not a religious charlatan, not a spiritual fraudster, not a false devotee. This is our incoming governor.”
