The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the names and personal particulars of candidates contesting in the August 8, 2026, Osun State governorship election.
The publication confirms that incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke will retain his current deputy as his running mate under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC disclosed that 14 political parties successfully met the submission deadline and complied with electoral guidelines as stipulated in the Electoral Act 2022.
APC, ADP, ADC and Other Parties Unveil Running Mates
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Oyebamiji, selected former Ife North lawmaker Tunde Olatunji as his running mate.
The only female governorship candidate in the race is Adeagbo Yemisi of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
Other notable candidates and their deputies include:
Adesoji Masilo (Boot Party) – Running mate: Aresa Adenike
Adeleke Adewale (NNPP) – Running mate: Adeyera Adesola
Esan Abeeb (AAC) – Running mate: Bello Muideen
Olanrewaju Farinloye (Action Alliance) – Running mate: Fadahunsi Olaniyi
Najeem Salaam (ADC) – Running mate: Popoola Tajudeen
Adewale Adebayo (APM) – Running mate: Jimoh Naheem
Two political parties — the Boot Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party — also fielded female deputy governorship candidates.
Parties Cleared by INEC for Osun 2026 Election
According to a statement signed by Osun INEC Public Affairs Officer, Musa Olurode, the following parties validly uploaded candidates’ details within the stipulated timeframe:
Accord (A)
Action Alliance (AA)
African Action Congress (AAC)
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Action Democratic Party (ADP)
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
Action Peoples Party (APP)
Boot Party (BP)
New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
Young Progressive Party (YPP)
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Parties Omitted from INEC List
INEC’s publication excluded the following parties from the list of cleared candidates:
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Labour Party
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
National Rescue Movement (NRM)
Youth Party
Electoral Act Compliance
INEC stated that the publication was made in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the official timetable for the Osun governorship poll.
The commission confirmed that the personal particulars of candidates and their deputies (Form EC9) were released following approval from its headquarters in Abuja.
