- The Independent National Electoral Commission publishes names and particulars of candidates for the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship election
- Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke retains his current deputy as running mate
- 14 political parties meet INEC requirements with PDP, LP, SDP, NRM, and Youth Party omitted
Ademola Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State, has retained his incumbent deputy as his running mate for the August 8, 2026 governorship election.
Details released on Monday, February 16, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state revealed that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, selected a former member of the Osun State House of Assembly who represented Ife North State Constituency, Tunde Olatunji, as his deputy governorship candidate.
The only female governorship aspirant in the race is Adeagbo Yemisi, the flagbearer of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
Two political parties, the Boot Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), also nominated women as running mates. Adesoji Masilo of the Boot Party picked Aresa Adenike, while NNPP candidate Adeleke Adewale chose Adeyera Adesola as his deputy.
The African Action Congress (AAC) presented Esan Abeeb as its governorship candidate, with Bello Muideen as running mate. Similarly, Olanrewaju Farinloye and Fadahunsi Olaniyi emerged as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Action Alliance (AA), respectively.
Under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam will contest for governor, with Popoola Tajudeen cleared as his running mate.
Adewale Adebayo is running on the ticket of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside Jimoh Naheem as deputy governorship candidate.
PUNCH Online reports that INEC in Osun State on Monday published the names and personal particulars of candidates and their running mates for the August 8, 2026 governorship poll.
A total of 14 political parties fulfilled the necessary requirements and had their candidates’ names published. However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (Nigeria), Social Democratic Party (SDP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), and the Youth Party were not included in the list.
In a statement signed by the Osun INEC Public Affairs Officer, Musa Olurode, and obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, February 15, the commission explained that the 14 parties met the submission deadline.
“The political parties that validly uploaded the names and particulars of their candidates and their running mates, as released by the headquarters of the commission, Abuja, are: Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressive Party (YPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
“In accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and as provided in item 4 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Osun State Governorship Election, the commission has published the personal particulars of candidates and those of their running mates (Form EC9),” the statement read in part.