The Osun governorship election has reshaped the political fortunes of several key figures, with Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Accord Party and his prominent supporters emerging as major beneficiaries, while the APC and some of its leading figures suffered setbacks.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who secured 444,815 votes.
The contest, which was held across the state’s 30 Local Government Areas, featured intense campaigns, political realignments, controversies and efforts by the major parties to consolidate their support bases.
Beyond the two leading candidates, several politicians, traditional rulers and political groups recorded varying fortunes from the outcome.
Winners
Ademola Adeleke
Adeleke successfully defended his governorship seat and secured a second term after defeating the APC challenge.
He first became governor in 2022 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party before moving to the Accord Party after his reported plan to join the APC did not materialise.
His campaign focused on continuity in infrastructure development, education reforms and grassroots engagement.
His strong performance in Ede and other parts of the state helped him secure a 66,252-vote margin.
Accord Party
The Accord Party recorded a historic breakthrough by winning its first governorship election in Osun.
The party provided the platform for Adeleke’s re-election bid following his departure from the PDP and built its campaign around the incumbent governor.
The victory is expected to strengthen the party’s relevance and political structure in the state.
Davido
Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was one of the high-profile figures involved in his uncle’s campaign.
The singer reportedly suspended some of his music commitments to participate in youth mobilisation, attend rallies and use his social media platforms to canvass support for Adeleke.
He later celebrated the governor’s victory after the result was announced.
Osun voters
The electorate played the decisive role in determining the outcome of the contest.
More than one million voters were accredited for the election, according to the results announced by INEC, with Adeleke winning 19 of the state’s 30 LGAs.
Ataoja of Osogbo
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Laaroye, openly backed Adeleke during the election.
The monarch cited the governor’s developmental projects in Osogbo, including the Lameco flyover, as part of the reasons for his support.
At a commissioning event, he stated that if he were a politician, he would have asked all Osogbo people to vote for Adeleke en masse.
He was also reportedly threatened over his position.
Timi of Ede
The Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, consistently supported Adeleke, whose political roots are in the town.
The monarch called on Ede residents to vote massively for the governor and expressed confidence in his support in the community.
He had earlier admitted deliberately leaving the palace on a day Oyebamiji was scheduled to visit.
Losers
Bola Oyebamiji
The APC candidate finished second with 444,815 votes despite securing 11 LGAs.
Oyebamiji, a former Osun Commissioner for Finance, campaigned on his experience in fiscal management and promised voters a “new direction.”
His performance, however, was not enough to unseat the incumbent.
APC
The APC suffered a major setback in its attempt to take control of Osun State.
The party fielded Oyebamiji and received support from several prominent national and state figures, but could only secure 11 LGAs compared with Adeleke’s 19.
The result leaves the opposition party with the task of reassessing its strategy ahead of future elections in the state.
Rauf Aregbesola
Former Osun governor and African Democratic Congress National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, backed the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam.
The election provided an opportunity for Aregbesola to test his influence as the ADC sought to establish itself as a third political force in the state.
However, the party finished third, while Aregbesola also lost his polling unit.
Olagunsoye Oyinlola
Former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola endorsed Oyebamiji ahead of the election, joining other political leaders in backing the APC candidate.
Despite his support for Oyebamiji, Accord won his polling unit.
Iyiola Omisore
The former deputy governor, senator and APC National Secretary was sidelined during the party’s primary process before eventually aligning with Oyebamiji.
Some of his former supporters had earlier moved towards Adeleke.
Accord also won Omisore’s polling unit.
Adegboyega Oyetola
Former Osun governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, was among the APC leaders who supported Oyebamiji.
He backed the candidate’s emergence and campaigned for the party before voting in Iragbiji on election day.
His involvement, however, could not translate into an APC victory.
Ero Arike
Prominent APC grassroots mobiliser and businesswoman, Alhaja Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero Arike, campaigned for Oyebamiji.
She reportedly distributed rice attributed to a former first lady while urging voters to support the APC candidate.
However, reports indicated that her polling unit heavily favoured Accord, although some accounts differed on the result.
Monday Okpebholo
The Edo State governor chaired the APC primary committee that produced Oyebamiji as the party’s candidate.
He later visited Osun to campaign for the APC candidate and mobilise Edo indigenes and other residents to support him.
His involvement did not, however, help the APC secure victory.
Hope Uzodimma
The Imo State governor joined other APC governors in campaigning for Oyebamiji and publicly predicted Adeleke’s defeat.
He also engaged in exchanges with Davido during the campaign.
Adeleke’s eventual victory went against his prediction.
Francis Fadahunsi
The Osun East senator was one of the APC’s most vocal supporters during the campaign.
Fadahunsi attracted controversy after urging supporters to “kill Accord,” prompting a police invitation, legal action and widespread criticism.
On election day, he also urged his followers to monitor voters and “deal with” non-supporters.
Despite his campaign for the APC, Adeleke retained the governorship.
The election has consequently highlighted the continuing influence of incumbency, traditional institutions, grassroots mobilisation and celebrity involvement in Osun politics, while leaving the opposition to reassess its approach after failing to dislodge the incumbent.
