The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeated his closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and former Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, announced Adeleke as the winner on Sunday, August 16, 2026, after confirming that he had met the requirements stipulated by the Electoral Act.
According to the results released by INEC, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured 444,815 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third polling 17,180 votes.
Fifteen political parties participated in the election, while INEC reported that 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been collected across the state.
Adeleke, who won the 2022 governorship election on the PDP platform, had campaigned on his administration’s record in areas including infrastructure, the economy, pension payments, healthcare and digital transformation.
INEC said the Accord candidate won in 19 local government areas, including Oriade, Osogbo, Orolu, Ife Central, Ilesha West, Ife North, Ede South, Ifedayo, Boluwaduro, Iwo and Ifelodun.
Oyebamiji, meanwhile, secured victory in 11 local government areas, among them Irewole, Ilesha South, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun and Atakumosa West.
Speaking about his administration’s performance before the election, Adeleke highlighted what he described as progress in digitalisation, economic development and the settlement of outstanding obligations.
“Osun is no longer offline. Osun is awake, digitally and economically,” the governor said. He also pointed to the payment of outstanding obligations and improved welfare for retirees, describing his administration’s record as evidence of performance and measurable results.
With his victory, Adeleke secures another mandate to lead Osun State.
