As Osun State prepares for the August 15, 2026 governorship election, 13 candidates are set to battle for the state’s top political seat, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam emerging as the leading figures in the contest.
The election offers voters a broad range of political choices, bringing together the incumbent governor, former commissioners, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, entrepreneurs, technocrats and candidates seeking to challenge the state’s dominant political blocs.
The major contest is widely expected to centre on Adeleke of the Accord Party, Oyebamiji of the APC and Salaam of the ADC. However, the other candidates are also seeking to attract voters with promises of good governance, accountability, economic development, job creation, improved welfare and better public services.
Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party
Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking a second term after a political journey that took him from business into elective politics.
Adeleke first contested the Osun governorship election in 2018 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but lost to APC candidate Gboyega Oyetola.
Four years later, he defeated Oyetola to win the governorship and was sworn in on November 27, 2022.
The 2026 election therefore presents Adeleke with an opportunity to secure another four-year mandate and continue his administration’s programmes.
Bola Oyebamiji — APC
The APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, brings experience in finance and public administration to the race.
An indigene of Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area, Oyebamiji served as Osun Commissioner for Finance from 2017 to 2022 under the administrations of Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.
He later became Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), a position he resigned from in November 2025 to pursue his governorship ambition.
His campaign has focused on tackling poverty and hunger, while prioritising agriculture, education, healthcare and human-capital development.
Najeem Salaam — ADC
Najeem Salaam is one of the most experienced politicians in the race.
The ADC candidate and indigene of Ejigbo holds a doctorate in political science and has spent several years in Osun politics.
He was first elected to the Osun State House of Assembly in 2007, although the result was later nullified by the Court of Appeal. Salaam returned to the Assembly in 2011 and became Speaker, a position he held until 2015.
He was re-elected in 2017 and remained in the legislature until 2019.
Salaam is campaigning on a promise to build on the achievements of previous administrations while addressing gaps in governance and delivering a people-centred government.
Olanrewaju Farinloye — Action Alliance
Olanrewaju “Emanuel” Farinloye, the Action Alliance candidate and indigene of Ilesa, is presenting his candidacy as a call to public service.
Farinloye has described himself as a son, brother and friend of the people of Osun and is seeking to offer voters an alternative political platform built around service and responsible leadership.
Olajide Esan — AAC
At 39, Olajide Esan is one of the younger candidates in the race.
The entrepreneur and car dealer emerged as the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate through a consensus arrangement.
Esan has made transparency and citizen participation central to his campaign. Among his proposals is a public financial dashboard that would allow residents to monitor government spending.
Adeagbo Opawoye — ADP
Adeagbo Opawoye is the candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADP) and the only female candidate in the contest.
A retired school principal, Opawoye is presenting herself as a different leadership option in a race dominated by male candidates.
Her campaign places emphasis on workers’ welfare, human development and improved governance.
Adeleke Masilo — Boot Party
Adeleke Masilo, a graduate of the University of Ilorin, is contesting under the Boot Party.
Masilo previously sought election to the Senate in 2023 but was unsuccessful.
For the governorship race, he is campaigning on the promise of a people-focused administration, with citizens’ welfare and wellbeing at the centre of government policy.
Adewale Adebayo — APM
Adewale Adebayo is the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
A real estate developer and Chief Executive Officer of Tri Edge Real Estate, Adebayo also has an academic background in public administration and economic policy.
His campaign has focused on fighting corruption, creating employment opportunities and providing what he describes as the executive leadership needed to reposition Osun State.
Clement Adesuyi — APP
Clement Adesuyi is the candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP).
He emerged as the party’s governorship standard-bearer in December 2025 and is seeking to transform the APP’s presence in Osun into a serious challenge.
His campaign priorities include youth empowerment, healthcare, education and infrastructure, which he considers essential to the state’s development.
Taofeek Adeleke — NNPP
Taofeek Adeleke is contesting under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
He emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in December 2025 and has positioned himself as an alternative to the established political forces in the state.
Adeleke has vowed to defeat the incumbent and pursue sustainable development if elected.
Olalekan Ogunsakin — YPP
Olalekan Ogunsakin is the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate.
His campaign is targeting voters seeking a departure from Osun’s traditional political establishment and a different approach to governance.
Ogunsakin is presenting the YPP as an alternative platform for residents who want a fresh political direction.
Adefemi Adesuyi — ZLP
Adefemi Adesuyi is the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate.
He has positioned himself as an alternative to the dominant political parties, arguing that a section of the electorate is dissatisfied with the continued influence of the major political blocs.
His agenda focuses on accountable and citizen-driven governance, improved public services, economic opportunities and greater public participation in monitoring government performance.
Saliu Oyelami — PRP
Saliu Oyelami is flying the flag of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the governorship election.
His candidacy represents the PRP’s effort to provide voters with another political option beyond the major parties.
Oyelami joins the crowded field of candidates seeking to convince Osun voters that a different political path is possible.
The Race Ahead
With 13 candidates in the race, the August 15 election offers Osun voters a wide range of political choices. But attention remains largely focused on the battle involving incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, APC’s Bola Oyebamiji and ADC’s Najeem Salaam.
Beyond the headline contest, the smaller parties are hoping to turn public concerns over governance, accountability, youth empowerment, economic opportunities and welfare into electoral support.
For Adeleke, the election is a test of whether voters will give his administration another four-year mandate. For Oyebamiji and Salaam, it is an opportunity to convince the electorate that Osun needs a new direction.
The outcome will ultimately be decided by voters across Osun State, who will determine whether Adeleke secures a second term or the state gets a new occupant of the Government House.
