Osun 2026: INEC releases final candidates’ list, campaigns begin March 11

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates contesting the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, along with their running mates.

The list, attached to a letter signed by the INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on March 4, 2026, confirmed that 14 political parties will participate in the election.

Notably, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party did not present candidates for the poll.

According to the final list published on the commission’s website, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, selected the party’s 2023 House of Representatives candidate for Ife Federal Constituency, Benjamin Adereti, as his running mate.

Adereti, 48, who lost the 2023 House of Representatives election to Bimbo Ajilesoro of the PDP, replaces former state lawmaker Tunde Olatunji, who was earlier listed as Oyebamiji’s running mate in a previous submission to INEC.

Also featured on the final list is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam.

Salaam selected Yemisi Agiri as his running mate.

The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is contesting on the platform of the Accord Party, retained his current deputy, Kola Adewusi, as his running mate.

Other candidates listed by INEC include Adeyera Oluwabusola Adesola of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Abdulsalam Olamide of the Zenith Labour Party, and Bello Muideen Yekeen of the African Action Congress, all of whom have also named their running mates.

INEC had earlier scheduled the governorship election for August 8, 2026, before later shifting the date to August 15, 2026.

With the release of the final candidates’ list, political parties are expected to begin campaigns on March 11, 2026.

Speaking in Osogbo during a Ramadan lecture organised by the Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas in Osun, Oyebamiji said the APC would rely on grassroots consultation and hard work, rather than federal influence, to win the election.

“There is no way we can rely on federal might because we have consulted stakeholders across all 30 local governments, traditional rulers, men and women,” he said.

“We are working hard and will continue until we have the opportunity to be the governor of Osun State. So there is nothing like federal might. We have to do our work and deliver in a very good manner, character and behaviour to every citizen of Osun.”

Oyebamiji also urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards to enable them participate in the election.

The guest lecturer at the event, Kamaldeen Busari, commended Oyebamiji’s devotion to Islam, describing him as “not a religious impostor, not a religious charlatan, not a spiritual fraudster, not a false devotee,” and expressed confidence in his leadership potential.