INEC Releases Final List of Candidates for Osun Governorship Election

INEC Releases Final List of Candidates for Osun Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates and their running mates for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, confirming that 14 political parties will participate in the race.

The list, contained in a notice dated March 4, 2026 and signed by INEC Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, was also made available on the commission’s official website.

Notably missing from the final list are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), as both parties did not present candidates for the election.

According to the commission, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, has picked Benjamin Adereti as his running mate.

Also in the race is former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, who is contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Salaam named Yemisi Agiri as his deputy.

Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, running under the Accord Party, retained his current deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, as his running mate for the election.

Other candidates listed by INEC include Adeyera Oluwabusola Adesola of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abdulsalam Olamide of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Bello Muideen Yekeen of the African Action Congress (AAC), all of whom also submitted the names of their running mates.

INEC had earlier fixed the governorship election for August 8, 2026, but later rescheduled it to August 15, 2026.

Blessing Anolaba

Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.