Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party has been declared winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), securing a fresh mandate to continue leading the state.
The declaration was made by the Returning Officer for the election, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, after the collation and verification of results from all local government areas across the state.
Announcing the final outcome, Ogunwole stated that Adeleke polled a total of 511,067 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 444,815 votes.
According to the official results released by INEC, Adeleke won the election with a margin of 66,252 votes, a result that sparked widespread celebrations among his supporters and residents in several parts of the state.
Following the announcement, jubilant supporters of the Accord Party gathered at various locations across Osun State, waving party flags, singing victory songs and celebrating what they described as a significant electoral triumph.
The victory marks another major milestone in Adeleke’s political career and reinforces his hold on the state’s highest political office. Political observers say the outcome reflects voter confidence in his administration and the appeal of his campaign message across many communities in the state.
The election was keenly contested, with the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, mounting a strong challenge throughout the campaign period. Both parties embarked on extensive statewide campaigns, highlighting their respective visions for governance, infrastructure development, economic growth, education and social welfare.
INEC officials commended electoral personnel for their efforts in conducting the exercise, while stakeholders continued to assess the conduct of the election and its implications for the political landscape in Osun State.
As reactions continue to emerge from political parties, civil society organisations and election observers, attention is expected to shift towards post-election processes and the implementation of campaign promises made to the people of Osun State.
With his re-election now confirmed, Governor Adeleke is expected to begin preparations for another term in office, focusing on governance priorities and development programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents across the state.
Deborah Adeyefa
