Osun 2026: APC’s Oyebamiji Names Former Rep Candidate as Running Mate
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2026 Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has selected a new running mate ahead of the poll scheduled for later this year.
Oyebamiji named Benjamin Adereti, the party’s 2023 House of Representatives candidate for Ife Federal Constituency, as his deputy in the forthcoming election.
Adereti had contested the National Assembly election under the APC but was defeated by Bimbo Ajilesoro, who ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time.
His emergence as Oyebamiji’s running mate replaces a previous nominee. The earlier list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had included a former member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Tunde Olatunji, as the deputy governorship candidate.
Details of the new nominations were contained in the final list of candidates released by INEC on Wednesday.
The electoral body also confirmed other candidates and their running mates contesting the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.
Among them is a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, who is contesting the election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Salaam selected Yemisi Agiri as his running mate, making her one of the few female deputy governorship candidates in the race.
Meanwhile, the incumbent governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke, will contest the election on the platform of the Accord Party. He retained his current deputy, Kola Adewusi, as his running mate for the poll.
INEC also listed other parties and their deputy governorship nominees in the election.
According to the commission’s document, 36-year-old Adeyera Oluwabusola Adesola will serve as the running mate to Adeleke Adewale Taofeek, the 52-year-old governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Similarly, the Zenith Labour Party presented Adesuyi Olufemi, 50, as its governorship candidate with Abdulsalam Olamide, 35, as deputy.
The African Action Congress (AAC) also submitted its ticket for the election, with 39-year-old Esan Olamide as governorship candidate and Bello Muideen Yekeen, 51, as running mate.
INEC disclosed that the names were contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and dated March 4, 2026.
The letter, titled “FORWARDING OF FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE 2026 OSUN STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION,” explained that the list was released in line with the electoral timetable for the poll.
“The approved Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election has the 9th day of March, 2026 as the last day for publication of the Final List of nominated candidates.
“Find forwarded the Final List of Candidates for publication in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
INEC confirmed that a total of 14 political parties were cleared to participate in the governorship election scheduled to take place on August 15, 2026.
However, two major parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) do not have candidates listed for the poll.
