Politics

Osun 2026: Things That Could Make Adeleke Lose Saturday Election [FULL LIST]

Published

1 hour ago

August 14, 2026

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State faces mounting pressure ahead of the governorship election, with analysts identifying three distinct vulnerabilities that could hand victory to his rivals in what is shaping up to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched state contests.

Adeleke, who is contesting on the Accord Party’s platform, is facing the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party that currently controls the federal.

1. Weakened party platform and lost alliances

Adeleke’s departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its national crisis has left him competing under the Accord Party, a smaller platform with fewer grassroots structures than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the federal level. Several National Assembly members and former PDP stakeholders have since defected to the APC.

Former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, once a key political figure in the state, has publicly backed APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, known as AMBO, citing what he described as a lack of inclusiveness in Adeleke’s administration. The shift in alliances raises questions about whether Adeleke can mobilise enough voters without the machinery that previously underpinned his support.

2. Governance record under scrutiny

Opposition voices have kept up steady criticism of Adeleke’s time in office, focusing on allegations that infrastructure projects were poorly executed and that development spending was concentrated disproportionately in his hometown of Ede.

This has drawn comparisons to cronyism, with critics coining the term “Ede-nisation” to describe what they see as an unequal distribution of government resources.

Questions have also been raised about how the state managed sizeable Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) inflows, with opponents arguing there is little to show statewide despite the volume of funds received.

While Adeleke’s camp has pointed to salary and pension payments, minimum-wage implementation, and infrastructure progress as achievements, APC critics contend that education and healthcare have been largely neglected, a narrative that could influence undecided voters.

3. Violence, federal dynamics, and a split opposition field

The campaign period has been overshadowed by mutual accusations of thuggery, vote-buying, and intimidation, with reports of dozens of violent incidents linked to the election.

The APC, as the party controlling the federal government, is seen as carrying stronger institutional momentum into the vote, particularly in its traditional strongholds across the state.

Complicating matters further is the presence of ADC candidate Najeem Salam, whose campaign is linked to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s political influence. Analysts warn that Salam could draw away protest votes or anti-APC sentiment that might otherwise consolidate around Adeleke.

Last-minute political realignments and the risk of suppressed voter turnout in areas experiencing tension add further uncertainty to the outcome. Some polls and prediction markets have shown Adeleke remaining competitive or holding a lead, and the final result will depend heavily on turnout, ground-level organisation, and how voters respond on election day.

Politics

Shehu Sani Predicts Winner of Osun 2026 Governorship Election

Published

15 hours ago

August 14, 2026

The Daily Voice

Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani weighed in on the political situation ahead of the Osun governorship election, Sani pointed to a divided opposition and the origins of ADC members in the state as key factors shaping the race.

Shehu Sani, on Thursday hinted that only a miracle or a magic would save Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State from a defeat in the Saturday’s governorship election.

Sani blamed his position on the fact that the opposition is divided in Osun State while the APC is united and strong.

Posting on X, the former lawmaker stressed that Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State who doubles as the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the Osun State governorship election would help the party ensure victory.

He wrote: “Osun; a divided opposition and the fact that almost all of the ADC members in the state are genetically and spiritually from the APC, only a miracle or magic will save the incumbent Governor. In the absence of both miracle and magic, Hope Uzodinma will undoubtedly retrieve Osun for APC.”

The APC will be fielding Bola Oyebamiji in Saturday’s governorship election as the incumbent governor, Adeleke seeks a second term in office.

Adeleke who is of the Accord Party, AP, had boasted that he would secured a second term on Saturday but some chieftains of the APC had claimed that he would suffer defeat at the polls

Politics

Osun Election: Tension as Two Political Supporters Shot Dead, Others Injured in Fresh Attack

Published

3 days ago

August 12, 2026

The Daily Voice

Tension gripped Ilesa, Osun State, on Tuesday morning after suspected political thugs attacked supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving two people dead and two others critically injured.

According to The Nation, the incident reportedly occurred around 7:30 am at the Igbogi area of Ilesa, where APC supporters had gathered ahead of the party’s final campaign rally scheduled to begin at 8 am.

Witnesses said the attackers arrived at the gathering and opened fire on the supporters before fleeing the area.

A resident identified simply as Sola said party members were preparing to move to the rally venue when the attack occurred.

He said, “We were preparing for our final rally today, and our leaders said we should converge at Igbogi for take-off, which is scheduled for 8 am.

“At 7:30 am, the thugs stormed the venue and were shooting sporadically.”

Sola initially claimed four people had died in the attack, but the APC Campaign Council later put the death toll at two.

He also linked the incident to recent political tension in the area, saying, “It is so unfortunate. This is coming barely three days after Amotekun shot some members.”

APC Confirms Two Deaths
The Media Head of the APC Campaign Council, Oluremi Omowaiye, confirmed that four party supporters were affected in Tuesday’s attack.

He, however, clarified that two of the victims died while two others were receiving treatment for serious injuries.

“Four of our supporters were shot, two of them are dead while two others are in critical condition,” Omowaiye said.

He added that the APC woman leader in Ilesa was among those injured and had been taken to Wesley Guild Hospital for treatment.

Politics

FACT CHECK: Did ADC Candidate Najeem Salaam Really Step Down for Adeleke? The Truth Finally Emerges

Published

3 days ago

August 11, 2026

The Daily Voice

Recent reports claiming that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, is stepping down to support Governor Ademola Adeleke are not supported by the latest available evidence.

The rumour gained traction after photographs of former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Adeleke circulated online, triggering speculation that the ADC was negotiating an alliance with the governor ahead of the August 2026 governorship election.

However, Aregbesola, who is the National Secretary of the ADC, has dismissed the claim, saying the party is not negotiating an alliance with any political party and that Salaam will not step down for another candidate.

Aregbesola made the clarification during an ADC solidarity rally in Ejigbo, Osun State. According to the report, he said the party was contesting the election independently and had no agreement with any rival political party.

The claim is further contradicted by recent statements from Salaam himself. A social-media post attributed to the ADC candidate said: “I remain fully in the race. I’m contesting to win.”

Available records also show that Salaam remains the ADC’s candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election. He emerged from the party’s primary with all 520 valid votes cast by accredited delegates.

The ADC has also continued campaigning around Salaam’s candidacy. In July, a party spokesperson described him as the party’s governorship candidate and outlined the programme he intends to implement if elected.

Verdict: FALSE

There is no credible evidence at the time of writing that Najeem Salaam has withdrawn from the 2026 Osun governorship election to support Ademola Adeleke. The latest statements from Aregbesola and Salaam indicate the opposite: the ADC says it remains in the race and intends to contest the election independently.