Winners and Losers Of Osun Governorship Election

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

He celebrated the victory publicly on Sunday.

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

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

Ataoja of Osogbo
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.

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.

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

Timi of Ede (Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal)
The traditional ruler of Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, consistently backed the governor.

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

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

The palace maintained its relationship with the Adeleke family and dismissed claims that it had withdrawn its support.

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

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

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

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

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

Former Minister of Interior of Nigeria. Rauf Aregbesola
File photo: Former Minister of Interior of Nigeria. Rauf Aregbesola
His influence was tested as a potential third force, but the party finished third.

He also lost his polling unit.

Olagunsoye Oyinlola
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.

former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola
former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola
His polling unit, however, was won by Accord.

Iyiola Omisore
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.

Some of his former supporters had earlier moved towards Adeleke.

His polling unit was won by Accord.

Adegboyega Oyetola
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.

Gboyega Oyetola
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola
He voted in Iragbiji and praised the turnout.

Ero Arike (Alhaja Falilat Yusuf)
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.

Falilat Yusuf. CREDIT: Factcheckafrica | Web
Reports indicated that her polling unit went heavily to Accord. Although some reports suggest otherwise.

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

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo. Credit: X m_akpakomiza
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo. Credit: X m_akpakomiza
He later visited Osun to campaign for the APC candidate, rallying Edo indigenes and other residents of the state to support Oyebamiji.

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

He also engaged in exchanges with Davido over the election.

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

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.

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

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

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