Osun Election: 15 Candidates Battle for Governor as 15,000 Police Deploy

 

Osun Election: 15 Candidates Battle for Governor as 15,000 Police Officers Deploy

OSOGBO — Osun State is set for a closely watched governorship election on Saturday, August 15, with 15 candidates in the race and security agencies mounting a major operation across the state.

The election has attracted national attention as one of the significant electoral contests ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The outcome will determine who governs Osun for the next four years and could provide an important indication of the strength of political parties and alliances ahead of the next general election.

Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking another term, while Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are regarded as the leading contenders in the contest.

15 Candidates in the Race

Although several candidates are on the ballot, the contest has largely centred on Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam.

Adeleke is seeking to retain the governorship after winning the 2022 election, while the APC is attempting to regain control of the state.

Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, has received support from prominent party figures as the party intensifies its campaign to return to power in Osun.

Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and candidate of the ADC, is also seeking to break the dominance of the two major contenders.

Recent reports indicate that 15 candidates are now set to contest Saturday’s election, following late developments surrounding the ballot.

15,000 Police Officers Deployed

Security has been significantly strengthened ahead of the election.

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the deployment of about 15,000 personnel for the exercise. The deployment includes senior police officers and specialised units tasked with maintaining security before, during and after voting.

Reports today also indicate that 30 Commissioners of Police have been assigned to the state's 30 local government areas, while helicopters and drones are being used for aerial surveillance.

The police have warned against electoral offences and other activities capable of disrupting the election.

Security agencies are expected to focus particularly on preventing violence, intimidation, vote-buying, ballot-box snatching and other forms of electoral malpractice.

Election Materials Ready

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued preparations for Saturday’s election.

Sensitive election materials have arrived in Osogbo and are being distributed to locations across the state under security arrangements. INEC has also prepared ad-hoc personnel for the election, drawing from a pool of more than 30,000 National Youth Service Corps members.

The commission has repeatedly promised a credible and peaceful election and urged voters and political actors to cooperate with election officials.

About 2.3 Million Registered Voters

Osun has more than 2.3 million registered voters, making the election one of the state's largest political exercises.

However, the number of registered voters is different from the number of people eligible to participate based on PVC collection and other electoral requirements.

The final voter turnout will therefore depend on how many eligible voters actually make their way to polling units on Saturday.

Political Tension Remains High

The final days before the election have been marked by political realignments, endorsements and accusations among the parties.

Political leaders have continued to campaign for their preferred candidates, while observers have urged contestants and supporters to avoid inflammatory statements and violence.

The heightened attention is partly linked to Osun's history of competitive politics and the broader political implications of the election.

The APC's attempt to reclaim the state, Adeleke's bid for re-election and the ADC's effort to emerge as a major force have combined to make the contest particularly significant.

Why Osun Election Matters

The Osun governorship election is being closely watched beyond the state because it comes less than a year before Nigeria's 2027 general elections.

For the APC, victory would strengthen its position in the South-West and provide another indication of the party's political standing in the region.

For Adeleke and the Accord Party, retaining Osun would reinforce the governor's political position and demonstrate the strength of his support base.

The ADC, meanwhile, is seeking to use the election to establish itself as a serious alternative to the traditional major parties.

However, the result should not automatically be interpreted as a direct prediction of the 2027 presidential election, as Osun has its own political dynamics and local issues.

Security and Peace Take Centre Stage

With voting just hours away, attention is now shifting from campaigns to the conduct of the election.

Political parties, candidates, election observers and civil society groups have continued to call for a peaceful process.

The credibility of the election will depend on whether voters can cast their ballots without intimidation, whether electoral officials can perform their duties freely and whether political actors respect the rules.

Security agencies have also been urged to remain professional and impartial while protecting voters, election officials and electoral materials.

Voters Head to the Polls Saturday

Osun voters will head to polling units across the state's 30 local government areas on Saturday to choose their next governor.

With 15 candidates, more than two million registered voters and a major security deployment, the election is expected to attract significant attention across Nigeria.

The crucial question now is whether the state will deliver a peaceful and credible election and whether the eventual winner will emerge from the ballot without major disruption.

PrimeNews247 will continue to monitor the Osun governorship election and provide verified updates as voting, counting and official results unfold.