As Osun State prepares for the 2026 governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters and other stakeholders of a credible and hitch-free exercise.
FILE: A ballot box
On Saturday, August 15, 2026, residents of Osun State will head to the polls to pick their governor for the next four years in a race observers have said will be keenly contested.
Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election for a fresh and final term in office as the leader of the South-West state. But he will be doing battle alongside several candidates on Saturday.
Already, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised a credible, hitch-free exercise.
Key Facts About Osun Governorship Election
Ahead of the exercise, here are key facts you should know about the 2026 Osun governorship election:
1. 2.3 Million Voters
According to INEC, 2,339,233 eligible voters will participate in the election across 3,763 polling units spread across the state’s 30 local government areas.
2. 14 Candidates Jostle For Governorship Seat
According to the electoral umpire, 14 political parties and candidates will be on the ballot in Osun State.
But amid the crowded field, three names stand out for their political strength, presence, and popularity: incumbent Governor Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
3. Campaigns to End August 13
All 14 candidates and parties have until August 13 to run their campaigns across the 30 LGAs of Osun State.
4. Signing of Peace Accord
To ensure a hitch-free exercise, all 14 candidates contesting the election signed the Peace Accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee.
5. Tech-Backed Poll
INEC is also taking advantage of technology to strengthen election-day operations. The commission has increased the number of BVAS devices for the election from 4,427 to 5,130, while backup devices have been doubled from 664 to 1,328 to ensure quick replacement in the event of a malfunction.
6. Security Deployment
Meanwhile, police authorities will deploy about 15,000 operatives to be on duty during the polls. INEC is also collaborating with security agencies to curb vote-buying.
The electoral umpire is adopting a proactive approach through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), with intelligence-led deployments planned for identified flashpoints across the state.
Osun Decides
As residents go to the poll, Nigerians are watching and are eager to know who will be the next governor of Osun State.
