Adeleke Faces Election Challenges Ahead of Osun Polls

As the Osun State governorship election approaches on August 15, anxiety grows over the possibility of violence and electoral malpractices. The state, which has seen political killings and violent attacks, will see 2,339,233 registered voters potentially casting ballots across 3,763 polling units.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress are the main candidates. Residents have accused Adeleke and Oyebamiji of using cultists for political violence.

In the 2022 election, Adeleke defeated then-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola by 28,344 votes, leveraging APC divisions and support from the late President Muhammadu Buhari. Currently, Adeleke enjoys backing from civil servants, pensioners, and former APC loyalists, including Iyiola Omisore and Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, who have joined the Accord Party.

This support, along with Adeleke's infrastructure projects, strengthens his bid for re-election.