With the Osun governorship election only days away, political parties are making their final moves to win voters across the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed 2,339,233 registered voters for the election, as candidates intensify their campaigns ahead of the poll. Of the 15 candidates in the race, only three have reportedly mounted significant campaign operations and presented manifestoes. Among them is incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking another term on the platform of the Accord Party.
One of Adeleke’s strengths is the advantage of incumbency, coupled with support from sections of the state’s civil service and organised labour. The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, have featured in the governor’s campaign activities and expressed support for his administration.
Adeleke has also made infrastructure development across Osun’s three senatorial districts a central part of his campaign, presenting completed projects as evidence of his administration’s performance. The Ede-born governor also appears to enjoy the backing of some traditional rulers, including the Ataoja of Osogbo, who has publicly expressed support for Adeleke and the Accord Party on different occasions.
Another of Adeleke’s strengths is the growing prominence of the Accord Party in the state. The party has gained ground following Adeleke’s departure from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under which he won the governorship election about four years ago. The PDP’s failure to field a candidate in the 2026 election has further strengthened Adeleke’s position, with elements of its former structure reportedly remaining aligned with him.
The defection of political associates linked to former Deputy National Chairman of the APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has also added to Adeleke’s political advantage. Although Omisore himself remains in the APC, several of his associates, including former commissioners and special advisers who served under ex-Governor Gboyega Oyetola, have moved to the Accord Party.
Adeleke is also expected to remain competitive in Osun West, where he recorded a significant victory in 2022. His Ede federal constituency alone has 319,489 registered voters, covering Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo local government areas.
The presence of influential political figures such as Ibukun Fadipe, Sunday Bisi and Disu Babatunde could also strengthen his position in parts of Ijesaland. In Osun Central, the governor can count on political support from figures including the Ataoja of Osogbo, Secretary to the State Government Teslim Igbalaye, Gani Ola-Oluwa and House of Representatives member Morufu Adewale.
Despite these advantages, Adeleke’s strengths are balanced by several challenges that opponents have repeatedly highlighted during the campaign.
Critics have focused on some early policy decisions of his administration, particularly the termination of appointments involving teachers and health workers without immediate replacements. The administration has also faced criticism over the disengagement of workers in state-owned broadcasting organisations and what opponents describe as inadequate recruitment into the civil service.
Allegations of nepotism have emerged as another campaign issue, particularly over recent recruitment into the teaching service and the University of Ilesa. Opponents have alleged that the recruitment exercises favoured people from Ede at the expense of applicants from other parts of the state.
The governor’s opponents have also questioned his administration’s performance in agriculture, healthcare, commerce, industry and education. Another potential setback is the decision by a PDP bloc associated with former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to support APM candidate Adewale Adebayo.
As the election approaches, Adeleke therefore enters the contest with a combination of incumbency, political alliances, infrastructure achievements and strong regional support, but must also contend with criticism over governance, recruitment and performance in key sectors. The final outcome could ultimately depend on whether his political strengths outweigh the grievances being mobilised by his opponents across the state.
