Osun governorship 2026 candidates announced by INEC, with Ademola Adeleke retaining his deputy as other parties reveal running mates
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has confirmed his current deputy as his running mate for the August 8, 2026, governorship election, according to details released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday.
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, selected former lawmaker Tunde Olatunji, who represented Ife North State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, as his running mate.
The Action Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Adeagbo Yemisi, is the only female contender in the race. Two other parties the Boot Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party also chose women as running mates, with Aresa Adenike and Adeyera Adesola filling those positions, respectively.
Other notable candidates include Esan Abeeb of the African Action Congress with Bello Muideen as running mate, Olanrewaju Farinloye of the Action Alliance with Fadahunsi Olaniyi, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress paired with Popoola Tajudeen. Adewale Adebayo, running on the Allied Peoples Movement platform, has Jimoh Naheem as deputy.
INEC’s publication confirmed that 14 political parties met the requirements for candidate submissions within the stipulated timeframe.
Parties including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, and Youth Party did not meet the submission deadline and were omitted from the list.
In a statement obtained in Osogbo, INEC’s Public Affairs Officer, Musa Olurode, said the commission released the personal particulars of all candidates and their running mates in accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the official election timetable.
The parties that complied include Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APC, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Young Progressive Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
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The announcement sets the stage for a highly competitive election, with parties now preparing for campaigns ahead of the August 8 polls.
