- Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, selected Benjamin Adereti as his running mate for the 2026 election in Osun State
- Adereti previously contested the 2023 House of Representatives election but lost to Bimbo Ajilesoro of the Peoples Democratic Party
- The final candidate list, signed by Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, includes nominees from 14 political parties cleared for the election
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji, has selected the 2023 House of Representatives candidate for Ife Federal Constituency, Benjamin Adereti, as his running mate for the 2026 governorship election.
Adereti, who previously lost the 2023 election to Bimbo Ajilesoro, then of the Peoples Democratic Party, replaced former state lawmaker Tunde Olatunji, who had initially been listed in the earlier nomination released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The final candidate list released by INEC on Wednesday, March 4, revealed that ex Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, running for the governorship poll under the African Democratic Congress, has chosen a female running mate, Yemisi Agiri.
Meanwhile, incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke has retained his current deputy, Kola Adewusi, as his running mate under the platform of Accord.
According to the final list of candidates issued in a letter signed by Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, dated March 4, 2026, Adeyera Oluwabusola Adesola, aged 36, has been nominated as the running mate to governorship candidate Adeleke Adewale Taofeek, aged 52, under the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Additionally, the Zenith Labour Party candidate, Adesuyi Olufemi, aged 50, has selected Abdulsalam Olamide, aged 35, as running mate, while African Action Congress candidate Esan Olamide, aged 39, picked Bello Muideen Yekeen, aged 51, as running mate.
The letter from the electoral body stated that the final list of candidates was being forwarded for publication in compliance with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The letter, titled ‘FORWARDING OF FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE 2026 OSUN STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION,’ signed by the INEC Secretary, introducing the candidates nominated by the 14 political parties cleared for the Osun poll, further read, “The approved Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election has the 9th day of March, 2026 as the last day for publication of the Final List of nominated candidates.
“Find forwarded the Final List of Candidates for publication in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
The governorship election in Osun State is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with 14 political parties cleared to participate.
Notably, both the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party will not field candidates in the election.