Osun State Governor Expresses Confidence in Winning Upcoming Election
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed confidence in winning the upcoming August 15 governorship election. He is running on the platform of the Accord party, while the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has put forward Bola Oyebamiji as its candidate. The campaign activities for the election officially commenced on Wednesday, marking a significant step in the political race.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released a timetable that sets the start of campaign activities for March 11. Additionally, the commission rescheduled the governorship election from its original date of August 8, 2026, to August 15, 2026. This change has given both candidates and their supporters more time to prepare for the electoral process.
Adeleke, who is seeking re-election, highlighted his administration’s achievements during a recent visit with the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Osun State Council. He emphasized that his performance in the first term has laid a strong foundation for continued progress.
During the courtesy visit at the Government House in Osogbo, Adeleke thanked the delegation for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to people-centred governance. He stated, “Today marks the starting point of campaigning for the August 15, 2026, governorship election. We need your prayers and support for a free and fair election through which the will of the people will prevail.”
Adeleke listed several accomplishments of his administration as evidence of his ability to lead effectively. These include empowering the cooperative movement with nearly N4 billion, strengthening community development associations with grassroots health and infrastructure projects, and implementing the Imole Medical Outreach, which benefited almost 80,000 residents. He also mentioned the revival of agriculture and rural development across the state through initiatives such as the cocoa revolution, new farmers’ programs, and the acquisition of tractors for farmers.
Furthermore, Adeleke highlighted the introduction of a 45-day window for the acquisition of Certificates of Occupancy, the revival of the Osun Free Trade Zone, and the digitization of tax and revenue collection. He also spoke about the SIFMIS payroll application, which ensures transparency in public fund management. His administration has constructed over 350 kilometers of roads, developed three major flyovers, revived six moribund waterworks, drilled 332 boreholes across wards, and rehabilitated schools and health centers. Additionally, he mentioned paying inherited half salaries and nearly one hundred billion naira in pension debts.
Assuring the people of Osun that his administration will continue to deliver inclusive governance and sustainable development if re-elected, Adeleke promised, “When we are re-elected, we will continue to run an inclusive and forward-looking government that keeps the people at the center of our programmes and policies.”
The APC, in a statement made available to The PUNCH by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, in Osogbo, on Wednesday, expressed its readiness to end Adeleke’s reign by working hard for the victory of its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The party claimed to be aware of the challenges faced by the people of Osun due to the incumbent Governor’s governance, citing acts of misgovernance and policy changes.
“Our governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) with his running mate, Aare (Engr) Benjamin Kayode Adereti, have been crossing their t’s and dotting their i’s through sleepless nights in order to ensure that our state is not left behind among the comity of states making up the entity, Nigeria, when they become statutory tenants in the Bola Ige House by the special grace of God in November,” the statement read.
The APC urged all genuine lovers of the state to ensure that Governor Adeleke is shown the way out of the Bola Ige House through their golden votes on the 15th of August, 2026, stating that his performance in office is insufficient to move the state forward.
