As the August 8, 2026 governorship election approaches, Osun State’s political landscape is again in flux, marked by shifting alliances, revived rivalries and intense behind-the-scenes manoeuvring among key contenders.
The race is unfolding against the backdrop of the 2018 and 2022 elections, contests that deepened political divisions in the state. In 2018, PDP candidate Ademola Adeleke narrowly lost to APC’s Adegboyega Oyetola after an inconclusive poll and a controversial rerun that sparked protests and prolonged litigation.
Four years later, Adeleke reversed his fortunes, defeating Oyetola in the 2022 rematch by a wide margin, according to INEC figures. While the PDP described the outcome as a decisive public verdict, both camps began repositioning almost immediately for the next cycle.
Within the APC, insiders say the 2022 loss was treated as a temporary setback requiring strategic recalibration. In contrast, PDP sources admit that internal cohesion weakened after victory, as competing interests emerged within the ruling camp.
Control of local governments has since become a major flashpoint. APC-backed officials, often described as “Yes or No,” continue to exercise authority in several councils through court-backed arrangements, while PDP-aligned officials, tagged “Seat at home,” operate largely outside council secretariats. Both sides see the dispute as central to 2026 mobilisation.
Political tension escalated in 2025 amid reports that Governor Adeleke was considering a defection to the APC. The move collapsed after resistance from APC blocs loyal to Oyetola, leading Adeleke to defect instead to the Accord Party on December 10, 2025.
The switch reshaped the contest, triggering defections by cabinet members and appointees, while some PDP members stayed behind to rebuild the party. Accord officials described Adeleke’s entry as a strategic expansion of political choices in the state.
The APC subsequently affirmed Bola Oyebamiji as its governorship candidate on December 13, 2025, citing experience and statewide acceptability. The African Democratic Congress, ADC, also entered the fray, naming former Speaker Najeem Salaam as its flag bearer.
With Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam now confirmed, observers are divided on whether the election will be a true three-horse race. While Adeleke’s camp insists his 2022 grassroots strategy remains intact, APC supporters point to Oyetola’s enduring influence, and ADC leaders argue that voter fatigue could favour an alternative option.
INEC has pledged a transparent process, saying lessons from previous elections will guide preparations. As campaigns slowly gather pace, Osun heads into another decisive contest where history, alliances and local calculations are set to collide.
