INEC Declares Adeleke Winner of Osun Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the incumbent Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, winner of the 2026 governorship election held across the state on Saturday.

Adeleke, who contested under the platform of the Accord Party, secured 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 444,815 votes.

The result gives Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes and secures him another four-year term as governor of the state.

The State Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, announced the final result on Sunday at the INEC Collation Centre in Osogbo after results from the state’s 30 local government areas were collated.

Adeleke won in 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won the remaining 11.

The Accord candidate recorded victories in areas including Osogbo, Odo-Otin, Ede North, Ede South, Iwo, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ifelodun, Ila, Ilesa West, Orolu and several others.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

A total of 15 political parties contested the election, although the race was largely dominated by Adeleke and Oyebamiji.

The election marks Adeleke's second consecutive governorship victory in Osun State, having first emerged governor in 2022.

Following the declaration, Adeleke described his victory as a triumph for democracy and the people of Osun State.

The development brings to an end the 2026 Osun governorship election, which had attracted significant attention ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections.

NEWSMONGER will continue to bring you updates on reactions to the election and the next steps following INEC's declaration.