Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
WITH just five days to go until the people of Osun State head to the polls, the race for the Government House has intensified, with 14 candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest Saturday’s governorship election.
The 15 August poll, the last off-cycle election before Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, has shaped into a fiercely contested three-way battle between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, his main challenger Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Notably absent from the ballot are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party, following Governor Adeleke’s defection to the Accord Party.
Incumbent Seeks Mandate Renewal
Governor Adeleke, known popularly as “Imole,” is banking on his administration’s record over the last three years, highlighting achievements in infrastructure, health, and agriculture.
His campaign emphasises continuity, pointing to road construction projects, prompt salary payments, and the liquidation of arrears inherited from previous administrations.
A former senator who replaced his late brother in 2017, Adeleke first won the governorship in 2022, defeating then-incumbent Gboyega Oyetola . His supporters cite his strong personal connection with ordinary citizens and civil servants as key electoral assets.
Challengers Present Fresh Alternatives
Standing across the political divide is Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate and former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) . Known by the acronym “AMBO,” the experienced banker and financial expert served as Commissioner for Finance under two previous governors.
His campaign emphasises economic renewal, agricultural expansion, and job creation, promising to review outstanding entitlements for workers within his first 100 days . Oyebamiji enjoys the backing of the APC’s established grassroots structure and the explicit support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Dr Najeem Salaam, the ADC candidate, brings considerable legislative experience to the race . A former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly for eight years, the Ejigbo native holds a doctorate in political science and is campaigning on a 10-point development agenda focusing on education, youth employment, and infrastructure . Political observers suggest Salaam could prove a significant “spoiler,” potentially splitting the vote in the Osun West Senatorial District where all three frontrunners hail from.
Wider Field Seeks to Challenge Establishment
Among the other candidates are Olanrewaju Farinloye of the Action Alliance (AA), a 40-year-old British-Nigerian systems builder; Yemisi Adeagbo Opawoye of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the sole female contender and a retired school principal campaigning on workers’ welfare; and Olajide Esan of the African Action Congress (AAC), who has proposed creating an “Osun Resident Database” to improve governance.
Other candidates include Prince Adesina Adeyemi-Doro (APGA), who recently withdrew from the race to endorse Oyebamiji ; Adewale Simon Adebayo (APM), focusing on agriculture and grassroots development; and Saliu Oyelami (PRP), a medical doctor . The remaining candidates are Clement Adesuyi (APP), Adeleke Adesoji Masilo (Boot Party), Alhaji Taofeek Adewale Adeleke (NNPP), Ogunsakin Olalekan (YPP), and Olufemi Adesuyi (ZLP).
High Stakes in Final Days
With approximately 1.95 million registered voters, the election promises to be a tight contest . Analysts note that defections and cross-party movements have further complicated political calculations, with a record number of politicians switching allegiance in recent weeks.
The election will be closely watched as a bellwether for the 2027 general elections, with the APC hoping to reclaim a key South-western state and Governor Adeleke seeking to become only the second governor in Osun’s history to secure a second term in office.
