Osun Decides 2026, Voters Turn Out as Polls Open

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has cast his vote at Polling Unit 7, Ward 2, Ede North Local Government Area of the state.

Adeleke arrived at the polling unit at about 8:25 a.m., where he completed the voting process before leaving the venue located within the Adeleke family home.

Speaking after casting his ballot, the governor described the voting process as peaceful.

He expressed hope that the election would remain peaceful across Osun State as voters continue to cast their ballots.

Large numbers of voters have turned out early at polling units across Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State, the hometown of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, as voting begins in the 2026 governorship election.

Voters were seen arriving at polling units early on Saturday, with some waiting for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and election materials to arrive.

At about 7:13am, prospective voters were reportedly waiting at Gulf Junction, Ogo Oluwa Ward 4, Unit 2, Osogbo, as preparations continued for the commencement of voting.

The election will determine who occupies the Bola Ige Government House for the next four years. The contest has attracted significant attention, with Adeleke seeking another term against Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

INEC had earlier announced that more than 2.3 million registered voters are on the electoral register for the election, although reports indicate that the number of voters with collected Permanent Voter Cards is lower.

A total of 15 candidates are on the ballot for the governorship election. The contest is widely being viewed as a major battle between the incumbent Adeleke and APC challenger Oyebamiji, with ADC’s Salaam also seeking to make an impact.

Two candidates had previously announced their withdrawal from the race. Adesina Adeyemi-Doro of APGA endorsed Oyebamiji, while Adewale Simon of APM endorsed Adeleke. Their parties, however, remain represented on the ballot.

Ede North will be one of the areas closely watched during the election, given Adeleke’s strong showing there in the 2022 governorship election. He won the local government with 23,931 votes against the APC’s 9,603 votes in that election.

Voting is expected to continue across the state as INEC officials complete accreditation and other election-day procedures.

TheNaijaWide will continue to bring you updates from polling units and the wider Osun 2026 governorship election as the process unfolds.