Osun Decides 2026: Allegations of Violence, Irregularities Mar Election Day Amidst Results Controversy
The Osun State governorship election for 2026 has been a contentious battle, marked by early polling unit results favoring both the Accord Party and APC, alongside widespread allegations of electoral malpractice and violence. Despite these challenges, INEC continues to upload results, with civil society groups reporting numerous irregularities and security incidents across the state. Governor Adeleke has promised an inquiry into election-related violence.
The Osun State governorship election for 2026 has been marked by a blend of intense political contestation, early results, and numerous allegations of irregularities and violence, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) progressively uploads results to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). With 2,339,233 registered voters eligible to participate across 3,763 polling units, the election saw 15 political parties on the ballot, though two candidates, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), withdrew their bids, endorsing the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji and the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, respectively.
Early returns from key polling units revealed significant victories for both leading parties. The Accord Party secured wins at several notable locations, including the polling unit of former Osun State Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore (Polling Unit 003, Ife Ward 1, Moore, Ife East LGA), where it garnered 131 votes against APC's 85. Surprisingly, Accord also won at the polling unit of former Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Polling Unit 003, Ward 01, Court Hall 1, Okuku, Odo-Otin LGA) with 125 votes, despite Oyinlola's recent shift of support to the APC candidate. Governor Ademola Adeleke also secured victory at his own polling unit (026, Ward 5, Osogbo LGA) with 57 votes for Accord over APC's 43. Furthermore, Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, saw Accord poll 287 votes at his polling unit (PU004, St Matthew Primary School B, Ijebu-Jesa, Oriade LGA).
Conversely, the All Progressives Congress (APC) also recorded crucial wins. Former Governor Rauf Aregbesola's polling unit (PU001, Coop. Building Junction, Isare, Ward 08, Ilesa East LGA) went to the APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji with 256 votes, while Accord received 43 and ADC 13. A nearby unit also showed APC dominance. The founding interim national chairman of the APC and former Governor, Bisi Akande, also delivered his polling unit (PU 12, Ward 4, Atogbade, Ila-Orangun, Ila LGA) to the APC with 181 votes against Accord's 121. Oyebamiji also triumphed over Adeleke at Ward 6, Polling Unit 006, in Boluwaduro Local Government Area, securing 68 votes to Accord's 39.
The election has, however, been marred by widespread allegations of malpractice and violence. Governor Adeleke accused the APC of bringing a police officer nicknamed