Candidates for Osun State Governorship Election on Saturday

The race for the Osun State Government House has heated up with 13 political parties putting forward candidates for Saturday's governorship election.

Candidates are moving through the 30 local government areas, reaching out to communities and telling voters about their plans and promises ahead of the election.

Initially, there were 14 candidates on the ballot, but just a week before the election, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) withdrew and endorsed Bola Oyebamiji from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite withdrawing, Mr Adeyemi-Doro will still appear on the ballot.

The contest is shaping up to be a three-way fight. It involves the current Governor Ademola Adeleke from the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, and Najeem Salaam from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

About 2.4 million people can vote at 3,763 polling units across 332 wards in the 30 councils. Voters will have a variety of candidates from different backgrounds, including accountants, bankers, and medical practitioners, among others.

Here are the 13 candidates listed by INEC who are vying to govern for the next four years starting on 27 November.

Ademola Adeleke (Accord)

Ademola Adeleke is the current governor and a former senator. He was born on 13 May 1960 in Enugu, south-east Nigeria. His mother is Igbo from Abia State and his father was a senator from Ede in Osun State.

Mr Adeleke studied criminal justice at Jacksonville State University in the US and later earned a BSc in criminal justice from Atlanta Metropolitan State College in 2021.

He has worked as an executive director for Guinness Nigeria Plc and as a group executive director at Pacific Holdings Ltd. Mr Adeleke comes from a political family. His father, Ayoola Adeleke, was a senator and his late brother Isiaka was the first governor of Osun.

Mr Adeleke became governor in 2022 after defeating Gboyega Oyetola, securing 403,371 votes to Oyetola’s 375,027. He won in 17 out of the 30 local government areas.

Bola Oyebamiji (APC)

Bola Oyebamiji, who is 60 years old, is a banker, economist, and politician from Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State. He is often called AMBO.

He holds an OND and HND in banking and finance from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and a master's degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University. He also earned another master's in Business Administration from the University of Ado-Ekiti.

Mr Oyebamiji has worked in both private and public sectors. He was managing director of the Osun State Investment Company and served as Commissioner for Finance under former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.

In 2023, he was appointed managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) by President Bola Tinubu but resigned in November 2025 to run for governor.

Najeem Salaam (ADC)

Najeem Salaam, aged 61, is from Ejigbo and holds a doctorate in political science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is known as "Iwaloye".

He has co-authored a textbook called Rudiments of Government and Politics, which is used in schools. Mr Salaam is a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and has been active in grassroots politics.

His political experience and ties to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola are significant as he represents a third option in the election, which is mainly a contest between Mr Adeleke and the APC.

He has promised to focus on workers’ welfare, education, youth empowerment, local enterprise, and securing electricity for the state.

Olanrewaju Farinloye (AA)

Olanrewaju Farinloye is the Action Alliance (AA) candidate, and at 40, he is one of the youngest candidates. His qualifications include the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and a Certificate in Commercial and Economic Studies (CCECS).

Olajide Esan (AAC)

Olajide Esan, aged 39, is the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate and is also a young entrepreneur and car dealer. He has a degree in geography from Osun State University.

Mr Esan wants to focus on economic diversification, agriculture, and technology as part of his campaign. His deputy is Bello Yekeen.

Yemisi Opawoye (ADP)

Yemisi Opawoye represents the African Democratic Party (ADP) and is the only woman in the governorship race. She has a Bachelor of Education and was a school principal before retiring.

At 84, she is the oldest candidate, and her experience in education brings a unique perspective to the election. Her deputy is 43-year-old Atanda Babatunde.

Adewale Adebayo (APM)

Adewale Adebayo is a well-known real estate developer and CEO of Tri Edge Real Estate. He has a background in public administration and economic policy.

He served as the Osun State Chairman for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and has received endorsements from notable figures like former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Clement Adesuyi (APP)

Clement Adesuyi is the Action Peoples Party candidate. He became the party's candidate in December 2025 after being the only aspirant. His manifesto is focused on youth empowerment, health, education, and infrastructure.

Masilo Adeleke (BP)

Masilo Adeleke is the Boot Party candidate. He graduated from the University of Ilorin and previously ran in the 2023 senatorial election but did not win.

Taofeek Adeleke (NNPP)

Taofeek Adeleke is the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate. He focuses on inclusive governance and has made education a key part of his campaign.

Saliu Oyelami (PRP)

Saliu Oyelami, known as Orisunlagba, is the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate. He is a medical doctor with over 20 years in practice.

His background includes medical work at Osogbo Muslim Hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. His deputy is Adewale Solomon.

Olalekan Ogunsakin (YPP)

Olalekan Ogunsakin is the Young Progressives Party candidate. He is a physician-scientist and earned his medical degree from Obafemi Awolowo University.

He also has a PhD from Tulane University, focusing on public health research.

Olufemi Adesuyi (ZLP)

Olufemi Adesuyi is the Zenith Labour Party candidate. He is a building contractor based in Ondo State and runs his own business.

What voters are saying

As political parties lay out their plans, voters are thinking about what each candidate can do for the state.

Bolanle Waheed believes the APC candidate is the strongest due to his ties with the federal government. “I see the APC candidate as the strongest because he has the President's backing. This could help Osun,” he said.

However, he is most concerned about unemployment. “The next governor must tackle the lack of jobs in the state.” He wants the government to attract industries to create jobs for residents.

Despite his preference for Mr Oyebamiji, he has some doubts about the candidate's link to past APC administrations. “The Oyetola administration wasn’t good for many people, so I wonder if he will change much,” he said.

For Biodun Ogunlana, the current governor is the best candidate. “Ademola Adeleke is the strongest among the candidates,” he said. He thinks Adeleke's incumbency and popularity give him an edge.

“He defeated an incumbent in 2022, showing his strength.”