Governor Ademola Adeleke has taken an early lead in the Osun State governorship election as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues uploading results from polling units to its IReV portal.
The emerging figures have placed Adeleke, who is contesting under the Accord Party, ahead of his major challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as results continue to be transmitted and collated.
INEC’s electronic publication of polling-unit results is providing political parties, observers and members of the public with access to emerging figures while the official collation process continues. However, the figures available on IReV remain provisional and do not amount to a final declaration.
The development is significant because Osun is regarded as one of Nigeria’s politically competitive states. The contest features Adeleke, Oyebamiji and other candidates, including Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Adeleke is seeking another term after winning the 2022 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. In that election, he polled 403,371 votes to defeat then-incumbent Gboyega Oyetola, who secured 375,027 votes.
The 2026 election has attracted considerable attention amid a competitive campaign and reports of isolated incidents in some parts of the state. During the voting exercise, political parties also made competing claims concerning arrests, alleged intimidation and disruptions, underscoring the sensitivity of the contest.
Adeleke’s current advantage could prove important if it is sustained through the remaining stages of collation. However, the final result will depend on the complete set of verified results from across the state’s 30 local government areas.
INEC remains responsible for completing the collation and formally declaring the winner.
Until that process is concluded, the emerging figures should be treated as provisional rather than definitive. The eventual declaration will determine whether Adeleke retains the governorship or whether Oyebamiji or another candidate secures victory.
The ongoing Osun results are therefore being closely watched as INEC continues its electronic upload and official collation process.
