Tomorrow’s Governorship election in Osun state has attracted so much attention that goes beyond the national boundary of Nigeria, it has also attracted the prying eyes of international observers who have all arrived at Osogbo the osun state capital and had mapped put strategy on how to capture the exact picture of all that will unfold to determine who governs the state for the next four years till 2030.
Four years ago, 2022 to be precise, the scenario was different, The incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke was the challenger squaring it out with the then incumbent Governor, Gboyega Oyetola who eventually lost out .
Tomorrow, Governor Adeleke will be challenged by contestants from 13 political parties as the 14th contestant from APM, Adebayo Adewale has withdrawn from the race and endorsed the candidature of Governor Adeleke.
In actual fact the real contest is going to be three horse way between Incumbent Governor Adeleke, hot challenger, Munirudeen Oyebamiji of APC and ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam.
If all things go well without any ballot snatching, intimidation or political thuggery of any sort, the kingmakers are supposed to be the voters expected to troop out and choose the preferred candidate they want to govern them for another 4 years.
There are 2,339,233 registered voters in osun state according to statistics from INEC, those who collected their PVCs and are eligible to vote are, 1,906,390 while uncollected PVCs stands at 432,843.
While the open campaign which has ended today lasted, Governor Ademola Adeleke showcased to the people what his government has achieved in the areas of road construction, Infrastructure provision, workers welfare reflected in prompt payment of salaries, Improved health care services and maintaing peace in the state saying “I know the people will look at what I have done and give me another term”. The APC Candidate who was the commissioner for finance during the tenure of ousted former Governor Gboyega Oyetola rested his campaign manifestos on creating a much more prosperous state where accountability on use of public funds with visible and enduring projects will be the order of the day as he attested to it “I understand money, administration and economic transformation, let me bring competence to government”.
On the other hand, the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam will be counting on his grassroots mobilisation machinery having served as Speaker, Osun state House of Assembly and has a strong alliance with his boss, Former Governor Rauf Aregbesola. In his words while campaigning on why he should be voted in for the Governorship job ” I understand politics, Legislation and grassroots government, give me the opportunity to provide experienced leadership”
INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan no doubt knows the Osun election is another test on how the electoral umpire will deliver in the 2027 general elections. While speaking with the media, Amupitan who is also a legal practitioner, SAN said “Osun Gubernatorial election will be credible, free and fair for all contestants.”
Security has also been given a topmost priority attention as the inspector General of police, Tunde Disu had deployed adequate personnel and high ranking officers to ensure people vote without any molestation, before and after as well as ensuring peace reign supreme till a winner is announced and after the contest is over.
For now, it is difficult predicting who actually will emerge as the winner tomorrow. However, It could be said that while Governor Adeleke may have a slight edge having presented his performance record to the electorate, The two other leading contestants, Oyebamiji and Salaam are also to be watched as any surprise can spring up.
We wish the people of Osun smooth, free and fair election tomorrow, August 15th 2026.
