Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has emerged as the Accord Party’s candidate for the August 8, 2026 governorship election, pledging to run on his record of achievements and warning that the state will never return to what he described as “the dark days.”
Adeleke made the declaration in his acceptance speech after winning the party’s primary election in Osogbo on Wednesday. He thanked Accord leaders and delegates from the state’s 332 wards for their support, promising not to take their confidence for granted.
The governor accused opposition parties of failing the people during their time in office, urging them to campaign on their records. He said their years in government were marked by poor performance and broken promises, adding that his administration had outperformed rivals despite political challenges.
Adeleke insisted that his government had raised the bar of governance beyond rhetoric and deceit, citing achievements such as moving Osun from 33rd to 7th place in national examination ratings, reducing the state’s infrastructure deficit by over 40 percent since 2022, paying off more than 40 percent of inherited debt, and ranking first in access to primary health care across the Southwest.
He unveiled an upgraded five-point agenda for his re-election campaign, focusing on welfare, infrastructure, agro-industrial expansion, innovations in health and education, and job creation through an improved business environment. Adeleke said the 2026 race was not just about running on past records but also about introducing new innovations to take Osun to greater levels of development.
Announcing the result of the primary election, Electoral Committee Secretary Abdulazeez Salaudeen declared Adeleke the winner after he polled 145 votes, with five voided ballots. INEC officials observed the exercise, which was conducted under heavy security. Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi and other aides attended the event, though notable PDP figures, including State Chairman Sunday Bisi, Speaker Wale Egbedun, and PDP lawmakers, were absent.
Adeleke’s candidacy under Accord marks a significant shift in Osun’s political landscape, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest in 2026.
