Osun 2026: Violence, Party Turmoil and Voter Concerns Shape Governorship Race
As Osun State prepares for its governorship election, the political landscape is dominated by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke and challenger Bola Oyebamiji amidst a backdrop of escalating pre-election violence. While Iwo residents share mixed reviews of Adeleke's tenure, emphasizing infrastructural gains and persistent challenges, concerns remain high regarding limited women's participation and deep-seated party conflicts threatening electoral integrity.
Osun State heads into its 2026 governorship election with more than two million registered voters expected to vote across 3,763 polling units and 30 local government areas, a 19.67 percent increase from 2022.
The race is dominated by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam, while the PDP, which won the 2022 election, is absent from the ballot following its national leadership crisis.
At the same time, women remain significantly underrepresented, with only Yemisi Adeagbo of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) contesting the governorship and Temitope Agiri of the ADC serving as the only female deputy governorship candidate.
Political uncertainty has also been fuelled by a leadership dispute within the Accord Party, with Christopher Imumolen and Maxwell Mgbudem claiming the national chairmanship, while the party’s Osun chapter insists Adeleke remains its candidate.
More troubling is the rise in election-related violence, with Kimpact Development Initiative documenting dozens of incidents between October 2025 and June 2026 and reporting 29 deaths, while police figures put the pre-election death toll at 30.
The violence has included attacks on party supporters, campaign offices and materials, the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade, and an armed raid on an INEC PVC collection centre in Okuku, prompting authorities to identify 385 electoral flashpoints across 11 local government areas.
Beyond the political contest, voters are weighing Adeleke’s record against persistent gaps in infrastructure, pensions, education, healthcare and youth support, with residents of Iwo acknowledging road projects, salary payments and improvements in public services while calling for unfinished projects and social needs to receive greater attention.
Security agencies plan to deploy more than 24,900 personnel for the election, while political leaders and civil society groups continue to demand restraint and a credible process. With Osun’s history of election-related violence still fresh, the August 15 poll represents not only a contest for political control but also a crucial test of whether the state can deliver a peaceful, transparent and genuinely competitive election.