The political landscape in Osun State is taking shape ahead of the 2026 off-cycle governorship election, with indications that three major contenders may dominate the race as political parties finalise their candidates.

Emerging flag bearers include Governor Ademola Adeleke contesting under the Accord Party, Adebayo Adedamola (popularly known as Fryo) for the PDP, and former Speaker Najeem Salaam for the ADC.

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party significantly weakened Adeleke’s bid for a second term, eventually pushing him out of the party. Initial attempts to defect to the APC were unsuccessful, as key stakeholders in the party resisted his entry over procedural issues and loyalty concerns.

The situation worsened when the Governor Seyi Makinde-backed PDP faction held a convention in Ibadan against the stance of the Nyesom Wike-led camp. Adeleke later withdrew, but the damage had already been done, leaving his chances irreparably impaired within the party.

Unable to secure the PDP ticket, he sought a platform free of internal conflict and eventually settled for the Accord Party, where he emerged as the sole candidate after polling 145 out of 150 delegate votes.

Meanwhile, the Makinde-backed faction of the PDP conducted its primary and produced Adebayo Adedamola as its standard bearer.

In the APC, tension rose as 13 aspirants expressed interest in the ticket, but only eight eventually obtained nomination forms. Following the screening exercise, six contenders were disqualified for improper nomination procedures, raising concerns about transparency.

Although an appeal panel met with the disqualified aspirants, it has yet to release its report. Ahead of the primary scheduled for Saturday, alignments suggest that Bola Oyebamiji—reportedly the preferred candidate of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola—is likely to emerge.

Senator Iyiola Omisore, one of the aspirants, criticised the process, accusing Oyetola of bypassing due process and imposing a candidate on the party. He insisted that disqualifying aspirants was unacceptable unless reversed.

In the ADC, internal divisions also surfaced. The party, led by former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, adopted Najeem Salaam as its candidate, prompting Alhaji Moshood Adeoti—a strong grassroots politician—to quit the party altogether.

If the current dynamics hold, the 2026 contest is expected to be a three-way battle between Governor Adeleke (Accord), Bola Oyebamiji (APC), and Najeem Salaam (ADC). Analysts expect the PDP to weaken Accord’s chances, while the ADC is likely to split votes traditionally belonging to the APC.