Voters in Osun Choose New Governor Today

Osun State voters are heading to the polls today. They will choose the next governor to occupy the Bola Ige Government House for the next four years.

Fifteen parties are on the ballot for this off-cycle election. The current governor, Ademola Adeleke, whose term ends in November, wants another chance. He is running under the Accord Party.

Two candidates have dropped out of the race. Adesina Adeyemi-Doro from APGA and Simon Adewale from APM announced their withdrawal. Adeyemi-Doro is backing the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Adewale, on the other hand, is supporting Governor Adeleke. But both APM and APGA will still appear on the ballot.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), other candidates include Najeem Salaam (ADC), Olanrewaju Farinloye (AA), Esan Olajide (AAC), Adeagbo Opawoye (ADP), Clement Adesuyi (APP), Masilo Adeleke (BP), Taofeek Adeleke (NNPP), Saliu Oyelami (PRP), Ogunsakin Olalekan (YPP), Adefemi Adesuyi (ZLP), and Francis Olugbenga (SDP). Francis was added to the list this week after a court ruling.

The election is likely to be a three-way race among Adeleke, Oyebamiji, and Salaam.

Osun has 2,339,233 registered voters. Out of these, 1,906,390, which is about 81.50 percent, have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). They are eligible to vote in today’s election. Voting will take place in 3,763 Polling Units (PUs) spread across 332 wards in 30 local government areas.

This governorship election is the second this year and the last before the 2027 General Election. It will act as a test for INEC, which is preparing for the general election. This is also the third major election since President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 in February. The Act includes new election guidelines.

The Osun election will also test the integrity of INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan. He took office last year. Amupitan, a law professor, says the commission is ready for the election. There have been reports of violence leading up to the polls, with over 70 incidents and around 30 deaths recorded. INEC has also identified 385 flashpoints across 13 local government areas.

During a recent visit to Osun, Amupitan said voters, not violence, will decide the outcome. He promised that more security personnel would be deployed to prevent election-related violence.

As part of the security measures, the police have sent 15,000 officers to Osun for today’s election. The NSCDC has also deployed 10,214 personnel and special tactical units. Other security agencies have also sent their officers to ensure safety during the election.