Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party was early Sunday declared winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, securing a second term after a tense contest that combined high voter turnout with reports of violence and claims of attempted result manipulation.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate Najeem Salaam finished third with 17,180 votes.
Returning Officer Prof. Joshua Ogunwole announced the results after collation from all 30 local government areas. Adeleke carried 19 LGAs to Oyebamiji’s 11, winning with a margin of 66,252 votes.
How the State Voted
The governor dominated his base in Ede and Ife. He won Ede North with 35,427 votes to Oyebamiji’s 10,283, and Ede South 26,188 to 6,219. He also took Ife East 27,201 to 18,600, Egbedore 19,278 to 11,194, Iwo 27,085 to 19,660, and the capital Osogbo 36,480 to 30,474.
Oyebamiji, however, posted big wins in APC strongholds. He swept Irewole with 29,972 votes to Adeleke’s 10,934, and also won Boripe by 7,515 votes, Obokun by 4,097, and Ilesa East by 3,928.
Violence, Disruption on Election Day
While voting was peaceful in many areas, pockets of violence marred the process.
At Ogo/Oluwa Kitan Polling Unit in Osogbo, sporadic gunshots caused panic. Witnesses said ballot boxes were snatched and one man was shot in the leg. Voting was halted.
In Ejigbo, activities were also reportedly disrupted at a polling unit linked to ADC candidate Najeem Salaam.
“They Want to Swap Results,” Adeleke Alleges
Before collation ended, Adeleke accused the APC of plotting to replace genuine results with fake ones.
Speaking after voting in Ede, he urged residents to “defend their votes,” alleging that the APC had “written fake results for some local governments” and planned to move collation to Osogbo to facilitate the swap.
“All collation must be done at each local government. Under no circumstances should it be taken to the state capital,” he said. “I am winning this election with wide margins. I have God and the people.”
The APC had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
Police Arrest Lawmaker, 179 Others
Security was tight, and arrests were made across the state.
The Police Command said it arrested Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, member representing Irewole/Isokan in the State Assembly, in Ikire alongside 146 suspected electoral mercenaries. Over 200 PVCs were recovered at his residence.
In Ede, another 33 suspects were arrested at Babs Hotel. Police said the 30 men and 3 women were brought in from Ondo State and allegedly recruited to disrupt the election. Four PVCs were recovered.
Investigations, the command said, are ongoing.
Turnout High Despite Tension
Despite the incidents, turnout was strong. Long queues formed in many polling units and INEC officials deployed early. Security operatives were visible in flashpoints.
Adeleke voted with his wife at PU 009, Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, Ede North, and described the process as peaceful.
PDP National Treasurer Chief Diran Odeyemi also commended INEC and security agencies, noting that despite pre-election tension, “the electorate would ultimately determine the outcome.”
ADC’s Salaam, meanwhile, complained that some of his agents were not recognized at polling units.
Next Steps
With INEC’s declaration, aggrieved parties have the right to challenge the result at the election tribunal. Any petition must identify specific polling units and prove how alleged irregularities affected the outcome.
For now, Adeleke stands as governor-elect, with 511,067 votes and a decisive lead.
