By John Dike, Osogbo
All Progressives Congress candidate in the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has picked Mr Benjamin Adereti as his running mate for the August 15 poll.
Adereti was the APC candidate for the Ife Federal Constituency seat in the 2023 House of Representatives election but lost to Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His emergence replaces former Osun State lawmaker, Tunde Olatunji, who had earlier been listed as Oyebamiji’s deputy governorship candidate.
According to the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC):
Former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, who is contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), picks Yemisi Agiri as his running mate.
The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, retains his deputy, Kola Adewusi, as his running mate on the platform of Accord.
The list of deputy governorship candidates also includes:
- Adeyera Oluwabusola Adesola (36) – running mate to Adeleke;
- Adewale Taofeek of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP);
- Abdulsalam Olamide (35) – running mate to Adesuyi Olufemi (50) of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); and
- Bello Muideen Yekeen (51) – running mate to Esan Olamide (39) of the African Action Congress (AAC).
INEC confirmed that 14 political parties were cleared to participate in the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
In a letter dated March 4, 2026, signed by the INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the commission stated that March 9, 2026 is the deadline for publishing the final list of nominated candidates, in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act.
Notably, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party were listed among parties without candidates for the upcoming governorship poll.
