Ademola Adeleke has been re-elected as the Governor of Osun State, securing 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, who polled 444,815 votes. The victory gives Adeleke another four-year term in office.
Osun State voters are heading to the polls today to elect a governor who will lead the state for the next four years, with 15 political parties fielding candidates in the governorship election. The candidates were confirmed in the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, following the addition of the Social Democratic Party to the ballot. The candidates include Accord’s Ademola Adeleke, Action Alliance’s Farinloye Olarenwaju, African Action Congress’ Esan Olajide, African Democratic Congress’ Najeem Salaam, African Democratic Party’s Adeagbo Opawoye, All Progressives Congress’ Bola Oyebamiji, APGA’s Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, Allied Peoples Movement’s Adewale Adebayo, Action Peoples Party’s Clement Adesuyi and Boot Party’s Masilo Adeleke. Others are Taofeek Adeleke of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Saliu Oyelami of the Peoples Redemption Party, Francis Olugbenga of the Social Democratic Party, Ogunsakin Olalekan of the Young Progressives Party and Adefemi Adesuyi of the Zenith Labour Party. The APM and PDP candidates, Adebayo Adewale and Adedamola Adebayo, respectively, withdrew from the contest and endorsed incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke. Although 15 candidates are on the ballot, the election is largely regarded as a three-way contest involving Adeleke of Accord, Oyebamiji of the APC and Salaam of the ADC. The Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party are not participating in the election, despite the PDP winning the 2022 governorship poll with Adeleke as its candidate. Adeleke is now seeking re-election under the Accord platform following political realignments within the PDP. Ahead of the poll, the opposition APC and ADC expressed confidence in their chances, while Adeleke and his campaign team largely avoided commenting on their expectations. The ADC called on voters to remain peaceful and urged security agencies to maintain neutrality. Its campaign council spokesperson, Nurain Adebisi, also appealed to INEC to ensure transparency, proper logistics and strict adherence to electoral regulations. Similarly, the APC expressed confidence in its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, citing his extensive campaign across the state. The party also called on security agencies to take firm action against political thugs and urged INEC to comply fully with the Electoral Act. Security concerns Security remains one of the major concerns surrounding the election following reports of political violence during the campaign period. Several areas, including Ede, Ilesa, Osogbo, Iwo and Ikirun, have witnessed clashes, attacks on campaign materials and disruptions of political activities. Security agencies, including the police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and military, have pledged to deploy personnel across the state’s 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,763 polling units. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is also expected to monitor the election and tackle vote-buying. Ede North and Ede South are regarded as key areas because of their significance to Adeleke’s political base. Ilesa East and Ilesa West are also being closely watched because of previous clashes and concerns over possible vote-buying. In Osogbo and Olorunda, where the three leading parties have strong grassroots structures, security agencies are expected to focus on polling centres and collation locations. Iwo and Ikirun are also considered potential flashpoints because of previous disputes involving supporters of rival parties. INEC’s preparedness and technology The election will also serve as a major test for INEC, particularly regarding the deployment of electoral technology. Officials are expected to ensure the timely arrival of election materials and personnel at polling units, while maintaining neutrality throughout the voting and collation processes. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and INEC Result Viewing portal will also come under scrutiny as voters and observers monitor the accreditation and transmission of results. Any significant delays, technical problems or unexplained interruptions could fuel suspicion among political parties and voters. Vote-buying concerns Another major issue is vote-buying, with concerns that economic hardship could make vulnerable voters susceptible to financial inducement. Reports of cash payments and distribution of food and household items by political agents have heightened concerns about the integrity of the process. Authorities will therefore face the challenge of preventing vote-buying while ensuring that enforcement is impartial and does not favour any political party. Neutrality of security agencies The credibility of the election will depend heavily on the neutrality of security personnel and the electoral commission. Security agencies are expected to protect voters, election officials, party agents and observers without favouring any candidate or political party. They are also expected to prevent intimidation, electoral violence and attempts to disrupt voting. INEC, on its part, must ensure transparent procedures, efficient logistics, credible accreditation and prompt transmission of results. Ultimately, the Osun election will test whether electoral institutions can guarantee a peaceful and credible process despite the intense political competition. The outcome will also provide an important indication of public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has rejected campaign signage and promotional-material fees recently introduced by the state government ahead of the October 2026 local government elections and the 2027 general elections. The party described the charges as excessive, disproportionate and undemocratic, arguing that they could create a financial barrier to political participation. In a statement issued on Thursday by the state PDP chairman, Mohammed Gambo, the party acknowledged the government’s responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain order in public spaces. However, it said such regulations should remain reasonable, affordable and consistent with the constitutional rights of political parties, candidates and citizens. The state government reportedly approved a N150m fee for presidential candidates, N50m for senatorial candidates, N30m for House of Representatives candidates, N5m for State Assembly candidates, N2m for chairmanship candidates and N300,000 for councillorship candidates. The PDP argued that the fees were excessive, particularly when compared with the spending limits established under the Electoral Act 2026. The party pointed to Section 92(4) of the Act, which places a N500m limit on the total election expenses of a senatorial candidate. It argued that the N50m signage fee alone would amount to 10 per cent of the candidate’s statutory spending limit, before expenses on rallies, media, transportation, campaign offices and other activities. According to the PDP, legitimate regulatory charges should be fair and proportionate and should not undermine electoral spending limits or make it difficult for opposition parties and candidates to participate meaningfully in elections. The party also urged the government to distinguish between commercial outdoor advertising and political expression by citizens and political parties. It called on the Kogi State Government to immediately review the fees and organise an inclusive meeting involving registered political parties, civil society organisations, the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency and other relevant stakeholders. The PDP said such a meeting would help establish a transparent, reasonable and equitable framework for regulating campaign signage ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to oversee security operations during the state’s governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. The deployment is part of measures by the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible election. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, DIG Mohammed will coordinate the police’s election security operations and work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police deployed across Osun State’s three senatorial districts. Their responsibilities include strengthening intelligence-led policing, supervising operations and responding promptly to emerging security threats. The police said adequate measures had also been put in place to protect voters, INEC officials, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and journalists before, during and after the election. Disu warned politicians, their supporters and others against attempting to disrupt the election, stressing that electoral offences would attract immediate arrest and prosecution. The Inspector General specifically warned against ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other forms of electoral malpractice. The police also reiterated that armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying politicians or VIPs would not be allowed at polling units or collation centres on election day. Similarly, state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations are prohibited from taking part in election security operations. The Force urged residents, voters and visitors in Osun State to remain calm and assured them of adequate security throughout the electoral process. It also encouraged eligible voters to exercise their rights peacefully and without fear, while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and protection of the electoral process.
Candidates in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election have expressed confidence in their chances of winning while outlining their plans for the state. Speaking at the Arise Townhall Meeting in Osogbo, the major candidates, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord, APC candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ADC candidate Najeem Salaam and AAC candidate Olajide Esan said they were confident of victory if the election was free and fair. Adeleke, who spoke first, said he was not intimidated by the Federal Government or governors supporting Oyebamiji. Describing himself as a “bulldozer,” he said he was prepared to face what he called federal might. The governor highlighted his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture, including the construction of about 350 kilometres of roads and the rehabilitation of about 200 health centres. He also said his government had purchased 31 tractors and provided agricultural inputs to farmers. Adeleke also said more than 1,500 personnel had been recruited and trained for the Amotekun security outfit. He urged voters to remain peaceful, protect their votes and ensure their ballots were counted. Oyebamiji, however, dismissed claims that the Federal Government would use its influence to secure his victory. He said his priorities would include security, welfare, agriculture, education and healthcare, with the aim of reducing hunger and poverty across the state. The APC candidate also accused Adeleke’s administration of failing to account for the resources it had received, including about N650 billion in federal allocations. He said the immediate past administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola left about N15 billion for its successor, disputing claims that Adeleke inherited an empty treasury. Meanwhile, ADC candidate Najeem Salaam said he would build on the achievements of previous administrations while addressing gaps in governance. He promised a people-centred government and pledged to tackle political violence and thuggery in the state. AAC candidate Olajide Esan said his priority would be to return governance to the people. He proposed an Osun Residents Database to improve government planning and a financial dashboard that would allow residents to monitor public spending and demand accountability. With the election approaching, the candidates have continued to campaign on different visions for Osun, while urging voters to support their respective programmes.
Accord Party governorship candidate in the Osun State governorship election, Ademola Adeleke, has said he is not intimidated by the alleged backing of the Federal Government and some state governors for the All Progressives Congress candidate. Adeleke described himself as a “bulldozer” and said he was ready to confront the influence of the Federal Government and governors supporting his opponent. The governor spoke on Tuesday during the Arise Townhall Meeting, where he said he was not afraid of the governors backing the APC candidate. “I am a bulldozer. I am talk and do. I am not afraid of federal might and governors backing the APC candidate. If they like, they should bring all the governors,” Adeleke said. He added that the governors were his friends and would not determine the outcome of the election, noting that only registered voters in Osun State would vote. Adeleke also dismissed allegations that his administration had militarised the state, saying he did not have the authority to deploy the armed forces. “I did not militarise Osun. I have no such capacity. I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he said. His comments came amid intensified political activities and campaigns by major political parties ahead of the Osun governorship election.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has urged politicians seeking to succeed him in 2027 to stop attacking his administration and instead tell residents how they intend to improve the state. Makinde made the remarks on Monday during a programme in Ibadan, where he stressed that he would not be contesting the 2027 governorship election. The governor said those aspiring to succeed him should focus on presenting their plans to the people rather than criticising his administration over its shortcomings. He also appeared to respond to claims by Accord governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, who had said he played a role in bringing Makinde into the political race that eventually led to his emergence as governor. Makinde, whose second term ends in 2027, urged voters to hold all governorship candidates accountable by asking how they would build on his administration’s achievements, complete unfinished projects and correct identified shortcomings. He said the next governor should focus on addressing areas where his administration fell short rather than making criticism of his government the centre of their campaigns. Hamzat, the founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, declared his intention to contest the governorship election under the Accord Party in January 2026 and later emerged as the party’s candidate after its May primary.
President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to withdraw the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank account has sparked renewed debate over the independence of anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria. The controversy followed the President’s instruction on Thursday that the EFCC return to court and vacate the freezing order. Tinubu said that although the commission acted within its legal powers, the timing of the action, coming days before the August 15 governorship election, was inappropriate. The President said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the development, noting that actions taken by federal agencies are often attributed to his administration. The EFCC had earlier defended the account freeze as a routine action and denied any political motive. Its Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, said the commission had the legal authority to restrict an account for up to 72 hours without a court order, citing a similar action involving Edo State ahead of its 2024 governorship election. The President’s intervention has, however, triggered questions about whether the EFCC is truly independent of the executive. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oba Maduabuchi, argued that the President does not have the legal authority to direct the EFCC or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in their operations. However, he said the President’s intervention could be considered understandable given concerns that the account freeze might be perceived as an attempt to influence the Osun election. Maduabuchi criticised the manner in which the directive was issued, arguing that it should have been handled through the Attorney-General rather than through a public presidential directive. He also questioned the decision to freeze the entire state account, saying the EFCC should instead focus on funds allegedly diverted to private companies. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also questioned the President’s reference to a court order authorising the account freeze. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the EFCC had not previously mentioned obtaining such an order when defending its action. Abdullahi questioned whether the President had been misinformed about the existence of the order or whether the facts had been misrepresented, describing either possibility as troubling. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticised the account freeze, describing it as a threat to democracy. He argued that freezing a state government’s main operating account shortly before an election could disrupt salaries, essential services and governance. Atiku further warned that the selective use of anti-corruption agencies could undermine public confidence and create the perception that state institutions were being used to influence political outcomes. He also challenged Tinubu to apply the same authority to the ICPC over the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. According to Atiku, the President’s intervention in the Osun matter raises questions about the extent of executive influence over anti-corruption agencies and whether their independence is genuine. The controversy has therefore renewed broader concerns about the relationship between the presidency, anti-corruption agencies and the rule of law, particularly when their actions have potential political implications.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over what he described as a suspicious payment made into one of his private bank accounts. Atiku disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. According to the statement, an individual unknown to Atiku transferred money into his account with the narration, “Contribution Electioneering Campaign.” Atiku said neither he nor his campaign team solicited, authorised or had any knowledge of the payment or the person behind it. He expressed concern over how the sender obtained the details of an account he said was strictly private and whose information was not publicly available. The former vice president said the incident raised serious questions about the security of Nigerians’ financial information. He warned that if private banking details belonging to a former vice president and presidential candidate could be accessed without authorisation, the financial privacy of ordinary Nigerians could also be at risk. Atiku further expressed concern that the information may have been obtained through individuals with privileged access to confidential banking data. He warned that any unauthorised breach of such information could expose account holders to threats from kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, fraudsters and other criminal elements. The ADC presidential candidate said the incident had been brought to the attention of Nigerians and security agencies, describing it as part of what he called a series of suspicious developments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku also urged Nigerians not to be distracted by what he described as attempts to damage his reputation as political activities intensify. He maintained that he remained focused on providing what he described as credible leadership and practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Omoyele Sowore, has delivered a scathing assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, awarding it an “F9” and accusing the government of underperforming in virtually every major sector. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, the publisher of Sahara Reporters said he could not identify any significant achievement recorded by the administration after three years in office. According to Sowore, the government’s performance has fallen short in areas such as security, electricity, education, healthcare, food security and the economy. He argued that Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, while repeated national grid collapses reflect ongoing problems in the power sector. He also criticised the student loan policy, saying many young Nigerians are now compelled to borrow money to access higher education. On healthcare, Sowore questioned the state of the country’s medical system, pointing out that top government officials, including the president, often seek treatment abroad instead of using Nigerian hospitals. He further expressed concern over food insecurity, claiming Nigeria remains among countries facing severe hunger and requiring international food assistance. He also alleged that the number of Nigerians living in poverty has risen significantly over the past three years. Based on these indicators, Sowore maintained that the administration did not deserve a passing grade. Using an academic analogy, he said that if President Tinubu were one of his students, he would advise him to leave the classroom and return to learning rather than continue. When the programme’s host suggested that his comments were similar to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s earlier call for Tinubu to retire, Sowore rejected the comparison. He clarified that he was not asking the president to retire from politics but instead believed he should “go back to school.” President Tinubu is expected to seek a second term under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election, where Sowore will represent the African Action Congress (AAC).