Referendum on APC and other factors that triggered Oyebamiji’s fall
For the All Progressives Congress (APC), the 2026 Osun governorship election was supposed to be a carefully prepared rematch. Four years after losing the state to Ademola Adeleke, the party returned with a new candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. His candidature had the backing of the federal government and a campaign that connected heavily on the influence […]
The 2026 Osun governorship election was a closely contested rematch between Bola Oyebamiji and Ademola Adeleke. Oyebamiji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), struggled to capitalize on the party's federal support and influence. Despite the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was claimed to have origins in Osun, Oyebamiji's campaign faltered.
In contrast, Adeleke, who had served as governor since 2022, demonstrated his political acumen by commissioning and promoting infrastructure projects, which resonated with voters. Adeleke's incumbency, coupled with his strong grassroots network and familial ties in Osun politics, proved advantageous. Additionally, the involvement of global music star Davido further enhanced Adeleke's campaign visibility, particularly among younger voters.
The EFCC's freezing of accounts belonging to the Osun State Government, while technically justified, was perceived as a politically motivated move by Adeleke's supporters. The combination of Adeleke's political background, campaign strategy, and voter perceptions led to his decisive victory over Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes compared to Adeleke's 511,067 votes.
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