In a stunning upset that has redrawn Osun State’s political map, Governor Ademola Adeleke has been declared winner of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, contesting on the platform of the Accord Party, defeating Mr. Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The victory came despite an unprecedented show of force by the ruling APC, which mobilized over 16 sitting governors, national assembly leaders and federal cabinet members to Osun in the final week of campaigns to secure the state for Oyebamiji.

Adeleke, who defected to Accord Party in July after emerging as its sole aspirant with 145 of 150 delegate votes in Osogbo, polled a decisive majority across the state’s 30 local government areas in the August 15 election, according to results collated at the INEC State Collation Centre in Osogbo.

Jubilation erupted in Ede, Osogbo, and Ilesa as news of the results filtered in. Supporters described the outcome as a referendum on Adeleke’s first term and a rejection of what they called “outside interference.”

The APC campaign, led by its National Chairman and coordinated by governors from the South-West and North-Central, had framed the election as a must-win to reclaim Osun ahead of 2027. The party held a mega rally at the Osogbo Township Stadium just days to the poll.

But Adeleke’s grassroots structure, built during his first term on the PDP platform from 2022, proved resilient. His campaign focused on continuity of his administration’s digital economy, road infrastructure and workers’ welfare agenda, now under the Accord banner.

Reacting to his victory, Adeleke thanked the people of Osun for “standing by Imole despite the intimidation and the heavyweight invasion,” promising to run an inclusive government.

“We have shown that Osun cannot be bought or bullied. This victory belongs to the market woman, the civil servant, the student,” he said.

Though the result has not been officially announced, the APC is yet to issue a formal concession statement as of press time, with party agents reportedly calling for a review of results from three local governments.

INEC is expected to present the Certificate of Return in the coming days.