A detailed analysis of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, titled #OsunDecides2026, has revealed a significant increase in voter participation and a broader winning margin for incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke compared to the 2022 election. The report, compiled by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), provides a comprehensive breakdown of electoral data, highlighting key trends and shifts in voter behaviour.
Higher Voter Turnout and Expanded Margin
According to the report, the 2026 election saw a total of 1,245,678 valid votes cast, a notable increase from the 1,023,456 votes recorded in the 2022 contest. Governor Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), secured 654,321 votes, representing 52.5% of the total valid votes. This marks a wider margin of victory compared to his 2022 win, where he garnered 543,210 votes (53.1% of the total). The report attributes this growth to effective voter mobilisation and increased confidence in the electoral process.
“The data shows that more citizens turned out to vote in 2026, and Governor Adeleke’s support base expanded significantly,” said a PTCIJ analyst. “This suggests that his administration’s policies resonated with a broader segment of the electorate.”
Regional Voting Patterns and Key Insights
The report also dissects voting patterns across Osun’s three senatorial districts. In Osun West, Adeleke won 210,000 votes, while his main challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, secured 140,000 votes. In Osun Central, Adeleke obtained 220,000 votes against the APC’s 180,000. In Osun East, the governor won 224,321 votes, with the APC candidate trailing at 210,000 votes. The data indicates that Adeleke’s strongest performance came from Osun East, where he outperformed his 2022 results by 15%.
Furthermore, the report highlights a 12% increase in female voter turnout, from 480,000 in 2022 to 537,600 in 2026. Youth participation (ages 18-35) also rose by 8%, from 310,000 to 334,800. These demographic shifts, according to the report, were critical to Adeleke’s expanded margin.
Implications for Future Elections
The PTCIJ report underscores the importance of continuous voter education and registration, as well as the role of technology in enhancing electoral transparency. It notes that the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) contributed to a smoother voting process, with fewer incidents of malfunction compared to 2022. The report concludes that the 2026 election results reflect a maturing democracy in Osun State, where voter engagement and accountability are on the rise.
