Ebenezer Adurokiya and Micheal Chukwuebuka Reporting From Osogbo
GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party has established a commanding lead in the Osun State governorship election, winning 19 of the 30 Local Government Areas declared so far, while his main rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has secured 11 LGAs.
The incumbent governor appears on course for re-election, having racked up impressive vote margins across several parts of the state, including the key battlegrounds of Osogbo, Ede, Ife and Ijesa.
Decisive Victories
Mr Adeleke’s performance was particularly formidable in his hometown of Ede North, where he polled 35,427 votes against Mr Oyebamiji’s 10,283 . He also carried Ede South with 26,188 votes to his opponent’s 6,219.
In the state capital, Osogbo Local Government, the Governor secured 36,480 votes, defeating the APC candidate who scored 30,474 .
Other significant wins for Mr Adeleke included Ife East (27,201 votes), Ife Central (21,171 votes), and Odo-Otin (18,003 votes) .
The Governor’s victories extended to Boluwaduro, Ifelodun, Iwo, Ila, Ayedire, Egbedore East, Ayedaade and Ejigbo .
APC Strongholds
Despite trailing in the local government count, Mr Oyebamiji recorded some notable victories for the APC. He delivered one of his strongest performances in Irewole, polling 29,972 votes against Mr Adeleke’s 10,934 .
He also won Boripe with 19,963 votes and Ilesa East with 16,208 votes .
In Olorunda Local Government, the result was a nail-biter, with Mr Oyebamiji narrowly defeating the Governor by polling 24,671 votes against 23,514 . Other close contests included Isokan, where the APC edged out the Accord Party with 14,063 votes to 13,765 .
Awaiting Official Declaration
With the collation of results now complete, all eyes are on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the official declaration of the final winner .
The outcome of this governorship contest will determine the political leadership of Osun State for the next four years.
