10 LGs that may decide Adeleke, Oyebamiji race
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the three leading candidates have intensified their campaigns to secure victory.Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke (Accord Party), Bola Oyebamiji (All Progressives Congress), and Dr. Najeem Salaam (African Democratic Congress) are consolidating their strongholds while wooing power brokers in local government areas where they have weaker structures.All three candidates hail from Osun West Senatorial District. Adeleke and Salaam come from the Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, while Oyebamiji hails from the Irewole/Isokan/Ayedaade Federal Constituency.Adeleke is banking on block votes from his hometown LGAs in Ede, alongside Egbedore. Supported by running mate Kola Adewusi and Prof. Wale Oladipo, Adeleke expects strong results in Ife Central, Ife East, and Ife South, though Oyebamiji’s running mate, Benjamin Adereti, hails from Ile-Ife. In Iwo, Adeleke enjoys the backing of former SSG Moshood Adeoti, though APC’s Dr. Amin Ogunbiyi presents an obstacle.Oyebamiji relies on block votes from Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan, supported by Dotun Babayemi. The adoption of former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s PDP faction could deliver Odo Otin for the APC, though Speaker Wale Egbedun may limit his chances. Oyebamiji also holds strong prospects in Boluwaduro, Boripe, Irepodun, Ife North, Obokun, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, and Ilesa West. Salaam remains a formidable contender in Ejigbo, Ilesa East, Osogbo, and Olorunda, drawing on the political strength of former governor Rauf Aregbesola.The election could ultimately be decided in key battleground council areas: Osogbo, Olorunda, Ife Central, Ife East, Ife South, Odo Otin, Ilesa East, and Iwo. In Osogbo and Olorunda, all three candidates hold significant influence. In the three Ife LGAs, Adeleke’s allies compete against Oyebamiji’s running mate. In Odo Otin, Oyinlola’s support for APC is countered by Egbedun. In Ilesa East, Oyebamiji faces competition from Salaam and Aregbesola’s network, while Adeleke’s backing by Adeoti in Iwo is challenged by Ogunbiyi.Both leading parties predict total victory. APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi projected a win in all 30 local government areas based on candidate popularity, while Accord spokesperson Oladele Bamiji insisted Adeleke would win all 30 LGAs based on his performance over the past three years.Ahead of the August 15, 2026 election contested by 14 political parties, 15,000 police officers have been deployed. A Police Service Commission delegation led by retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu has arrived in Osun State to oversee police conduct, with warnings that any officers compromising the election’s credibility will face sanctions.
