Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed strong confidence that he will emerge victorious in the August 8, 2026 governorship election, citing popular support and his administration’s record as the foundation of his optimism. However, his main challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has also appealed to voters, promising a people-centred government that will ensure the effective functioning of all sectors if elected.
Both leaders made their positions known in separate New Year messages obtained in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday. The election is expected to be keenly contested, with Osun voters set to choose a governor on August 8.
The race features three major contenders: the incumbent governor, Adeleke, seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party; Bola Oyebamiji of the APC; and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr Najeem Salaam, who is contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described 2026 as “an era of victory and prosperity”, urging citizens to remain vigilant and actively engaged in the electoral process. He attributed the achievements recorded in 2025 to divine support and expressed optimism that the new year would usher in greater progress across all segments of Osun society.
The governor acknowledged that 2025 was challenging due to what he described as externally induced constraints but expressed confidence that 2026 would mark a turning point. According to him, the state would experience liberation from obstacles hindering good governance and the delivery of democratic dividends.
Adeleke urged residents to pray for a peaceful and credible election, warning against attempts to instigate violence. “Election is not war; it is the exercise of sovereignty by the people,” he said, adding that any effort to deny citizens their voting rights would undermine democracy.
He further insisted that those seeking power through hardship and intimidation would be rejected at the polls. Declaring his readiness for the contest, Adeleke said he was determined to secure victory in more than 28 of the state’s 30 local government areas, stressing that his strength lay in God and the people he had served over the past three years.
In his own New Year message, Oyebamiji called on Osun residents to place their trust in the APC, promising a progressive administration focused on the welfare of all citizens. He praised the resilience and patriotism of the people and assured them of a mass-focused government that would prioritise unity, economic growth and inclusive development.
Oyebamiji pledged to build a state where every sector functions effectively for the benefit of all, regardless of political, cultural or religious differences, while also urging continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Meanwhile, ADC candidate Dr Najeem Salaam commended Osun residents for their perseverance despite prevailing socio-economic challenges. He urged youths, women, professionals and traditional institutions to actively participate in shaping the state’s future, emphasising that governance should be a collective responsibility.
As the campaign season gathers momentum, the New Year messages have set the tone for what is expected to be a closely fought governorship election in Osun State.
