Residents of Osun State will on August 15 decide whether to return Governor Ademola Adeleke or choose who will lead the state for the next four years.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently released the list of candidates cleared for the election, setting the stage for a campaign season where voters are expected to know the aspirants ahead of the exercise.
Recent details released by the INEC showed that Osun already boasts 1,954,800 registered voters.
In April, the commission announced a total of 381,817 new registrations from the continuous voter registration exercise. The INEC had also said it would release a cleaned register of eligible voters ahead of the exercise.
Below are the candidates cleared for the election and their respective platforms:
Ademola Adeleke, Accord Party (AP)
The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, 66, is seeking reelection alongside his running mate, Kola Adewusi, 57. He recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Accord Party and seeks to defeat the other candidates to lead the state for another four-year term.
Mr Adeleke, 66, polled 403,371 votes to unseat former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, 71, in the July 2022 election.
Since it took off in November, 2022, Mr Adeleke’s administration has embarked on several projects cutting across sectors, including education and health. His government is also said to have paid considerable attention to infrastructure development, including the construction of flyovers and roads across major cities in the state to drive economic growth and improve citizens’ living standards.
Mr Adeleke also boasted achievements in paying pensioners, expanding healthcare access, especially for the vulnerable and rural dwellers, deepening digital transformation and ensuring economic empowerment for all.
“Osun is no longer offline. Osun is awake — digitally and economically,” the governor boasted while highlighting his achievements recently. “We pay what is owed. We respect those who served. This is not politics. This is performance. This is leadership with results. Osun is rising — and we are not turning back.”
Mr Adeleke’s performance in the state had also received a nod from Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, who commended his administration for prioritising governance over politics, especially in his dealings with the federal government.
“I must say that you and members of your team are doing a phenomenal job in the state and on the national pedestal,” Mr Gbajabiamila stated during a visit to the state in May 2025. “Most people do not know that the Governor and I are together. I’ve known him for quite a long time. When he sees good things, he acknowledges them.”
However, opponents such as the APC’s Mr Oyebamiji disagreed with Mr Adeleke, especially in the health sector, accusing the governor of abandoning critical health infrastructure across the state.
“Primary health centres in Osun State were found to be lacking clean water, working toilets and basic hygiene supplies, making it difficult for them to care for patients properly,” Mr Oyebamiji stated in a statement in December 2025.
Olanrewaju Farinloye, Action Alliance (AA)
Olarewaju Farinloye, 40, is contesting on the platform of the Action Alliance with his running mate, Fadahunsi Olaniyi. Mr Farinloye’s profile foregrounds his experience in building systems that work – across trade, security, identity and revenue.
The candidate has vowed to lead an administration focused on technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, industrialisation, and infrastructure, driving sustainable prosperity in the state.
Esan Olajide, African Action Congress (AAC)
A 39-year-old entrepreneur, Esan Olajide, emerged through a party consensus arrangement monitored by the INEC last year.
Mr Olajide earned a degree in Geography and Resource Management from the University of Osun. He is the founder and director of Jyde Autos and Logistics. In his manifesto, he pledged renewal, dignity and purposeful leadership.
Bola Oyebamiji, All Progressives Congress (APC)
A banker and former commissioner for finance in the state, Bola Oyebamiji, hails from the Irewole Local Government Area. Aside from a higher national diploma in banking and finance, he bagged a master’s degree in public administration and business administration from the Lagos State University and the University of Ado-Ekiti, respectively.
He served as the commissioner of finance under the administrations of ex-governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola. In 2023, he served as the special adviser to Mr Oyetola before he was appointed CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority.
Mr Oyebamiji vowed to dislodge Mr Adeleke in the election and set the state on the path of renewed development.
Najeem Salaam, African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Born in 1965, Najeem Salaam holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science. He was a two-term speaker of the Osun House of Assembly between 2011 and 2018.
Mr Salaam unveiled his manifesto a few days ago, promising to deepen investment, especially in health, education and security.
Adesina Olusanya Adeyemi-Doro, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Born in 1986, Adesina Olusanya Adeyemi-Duro is an entrepreneur who holds a master’s degree in Industrial and Labour Relations from the University of Lagos.
With his professional career spanning healthcare management, insurance, business development, and human capital administration, Mr Adeyemi-Duro vowed to build Osun through quality education, accessible healthcare, and a revitalised agricultural economy.
He is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Adeleke Masilo, Boot Party (BP)
Adeleke Masilo, a graduate of the University of Ilorin, is one of the politicians who contested the 2023 senatorial election but lost. This time, the candidate jostles for the highest office in the state, pledging to institutionalise a government that prioritises the welfare of the people of Osun.
Clement Adesuyi Bamiji, Action Peoples Party (APP)
Clement Adesuyi Bamiji emerged as the governorship candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP) in December 2025. According to him, his manifesto is anchored on the promise of transforming the state through robust investment in youth empowerment, health, education and infrastructure.
Adewale Adebayo, Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
A real estate developer and CEO of Tri Edge Real Estate, Adewale Adebayo, studied the mechanics of public administration and economic policy.
Contesting on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement, he vowed to tackle corruption, create jobs, and provide the executive leadership required to transform the state.
Taofeek Adeleke, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Taofeek Adeleke emerged as the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in December last year. He vowed to unseat the incumbent governor and place the state on the path of sustainable development.
Saliu Orisunlagba, People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
A communicator and physician, Saliu Orisunlagba schooled at the University of Ilorin, the International University of Africa in Khartoum, and later the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja.
Mr Orisunlagba has worked as a health practitioner for over two decades. He is currently the chief medical director of Shifauk Hospital Group.
He contested in the 2018 and 2022 governorship elections under the Action Democratic Party and the NNPC, respectively.
Olalekan Ogunsakin, Young Progressives Party (YPP)
Like the other candidates, Olalekan Ogunsakin is seeking to defeat the incumbent governor. He vowed to prioritise investment in education, health and infrastructure.
John Olufemi Adesuyi, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
With a manifesto anchored in the promise of accountability and prudent resource management, John Olufemi Adesuyi has vowed to support small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs.
He also pledged to empower women and youths, and prioritise inclusive development across all local governments in the state.
