OSOGBO — The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, winner of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.
According to results announced by INEC, Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, defeated his closest challenger, APC candidate Mr. Oyebamiji, by 66,252 votes to secure a second term in office.
The declaration was made after collation of results from the 30 local government areas and 3,763 polling units across the state. The election was marked by impressive voter turnout, with INEC earlier reporting that 1,906,390 of the 2,339,233 registered voters collected their PVCs.
Celebrations erupted in Osogbo, Ede and other major towns immediately after the announcement, as Accord Party supporters trooped to the streets.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Adeleke thanked the people of Osun for renewing his mandate and described the victory as “a renewed call to service and a reflection of the party’s unity.”
“I appreciate the overwhelming love and support people of Osun State continue to show our campaign. I do not take your trust for granted,” Adeleke said.
“There is no turning back. Together, we will keep moving Osun forward. I’m confident ACCORD will win, and with this mandate, Imole is coming back stronger.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to people-centered governance, pledging to deepen reforms, strengthen public institutions, expand economic empowerment, and accelerate infrastructural development. He also unveiled an upgraded five-point agenda focused on citizens’ and workers’ welfare, infrastructure, agro-industrial expansion for youth empowerment, health, education, social care, and job creation.
National Chairman of the Accord Party, Mr. Maxwell Mgbudem, who presented Adeleke with his Certificate of Return after the party primary, described the governor’s emergence as “divine” and expressed optimism that he would “resoundingly win his re-election.”
Reacting to the result, the APC candidate Mr. Oyebamiji said his party was studying the outcome and would take a position after consultations. Party agents at the collation centre, however, raised concerns over some of the figures announced.
Civil society observers who monitored the election noted that while there were pockets of BVAS delays and reports of vote buying in some areas, the overall process was largely peaceful and orderly.
The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub, EU-SDGN EOH, which deployed 823 observers, said the election was “a critical test of the new electoral legal framework and a bellwether for the 2027 General Election.”
INEC is expected to present Adeleke with his Certificate of Return in the coming days ahead of his inauguration for a second term.
With this victory, Adeleke becomes the first governor in recent Osun history to win re-election on the platform of Accord Party.
