Vote counting underway in Osun governorship election

Vote counting is underway in the Osun State governorship election after polls officially closed at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that 2,339,233 registered voters were eligible to cast ballots across the state's 3,763 polling units. The election is widely viewed as a key indicator of political strength in Nigeria's South-West region.

The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party. He faces two prominent challengers: Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). While 15 political parties are contesting the election, the race is largely expected to be dominated by these three candidates.

Voting began with a large turnout, with many residents arriving at polling units as early as 7 a.m. in areas like Ikire, the hometown of APC candidate Oyebamiji. INEC officials were present at polling units before 7 a.m. to prepare for accreditation. Security personnel, including police officers and soldiers, were deployed across the state to maintain order, and reports indicated a peaceful atmosphere...