INEC Declares Adeleke Winner of 2026 Osun Governorship Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the 2026 Osun state governorship election. Adeleke, who ran on the platform of the Accord Party, secured a total of 511,067 votes, according to the state returning officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti.
Prof. Ogunwole announced the results on Saturday, August 16, 2026, confirming that Adeleke won 19 of the 30 local government areas in the state. His closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), came second with 444,815 votes, winning 11 local government areas. The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salam, finished a distant third with 17,180 votes.
Local Government Results: Adeleke's Strongholds
Governor Adeleke's victory was built on strong performances across several local government areas. In Osogbo, the state capital, he polled 36,480 votes against APC's 30,474 and ADC's 1,503. In Ede North, he secured a commanding lead with 35,427 votes, while the APC managed 10,283 and the ADC 307.
Other notable wins for the Accord Party included Iwo, where Adeleke got 27,085 votes, and Ife East with 27,201 votes. In Ede South, he garnered 26,188 votes, while in Ife Central he received 21,171 votes. The governor also took Ayedaade, Ayedire, Boluwaduro, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Ife North, Ifedayo, Ifelodun, Ila, Ilesa West, Odo-Otin, Oriade, and Orolu local government areas.
APC's Victories and Final Tally
Bola Oyebamiji of the APC managed to secure victories in 11 local government areas, including Irewole, where he won decisively with 29,972 votes against Adeleke's 10,934. He also took Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boripe, Ife South, Ilesa East, Irepodun, Isokan, Obokun, Ola-Oluwa, and Olorunda.
Despite these wins, the APC's overall vote count of 444,815 was insufficient to overcome the Accord Party's lead. The ADC's Najeem Salam trailed far behind with just 17,180 votes across the state. The final declaration by Prof. Ogunwole confirmed Adeleke's re-election for a second term in office.
The 2026 Osun governorship election was keenly contested, with the Accord Party's victory marking a significant political shift in the southwest state. Governor Adeleke's win was announced after the collation of results from all 30 local government areas, cementing his position as the state's chief executive for the next four years.
