Osogbo, Osun state – The next Osun state governorship election will come up in 2026.
Osun is a Yoruba-majority southwestern state with vast natural areas and a rich cultural heritage.
In this report, Legit.ng highlights some factors that may contribute to a possible loss for Ademola Adeleke, the incumbent governor.
1) Tension in Osun PDP
A crisis appears to be simmering within the Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Oluwole Oke, a member of the house of representatives for Ijesa North federal constituency, accused Governor Adeleke of neglecting the Ijesa people.
Oke, who serves as the chairman of the house committee on foreign affairs and is a fifth-term lawmaker under the PDP, alleged that Adeleke has abandoned the Ijesa North region since his victory in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
In a recent Facebook post titled “Ijesa North People Are Not Stupid”, Oke outlined previous contributions to the region by past administrations. However, the legislator criticised Governor Adeleke’s administration, claiming that its only visible impact in his constituency (comprising Obokun and Oriade local governments) was a 1.5-kilometer road in each area.
He accused the governor of neglecting the region in terms of development and appointments.
Legit.ng reports that the tension between Governor Adeleke and Oke has sparked worry among PDP leaders, including former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Francis Fadahunsi.
2) Purported dissatisfaction with the PDP administration
The opposition has said that the PDP administration in Osun is struggling to demonstrate capacity in governance.
This, it alleged, presents “a clear opportunity” for it (the opposition) to end Adeleke’s reign.
3) Adeleke’s alleged infractions
The party, through its director of media and information, Kola Olabisi, said:
“Based on the brazen infractions that have become the hallmark of his administration, Governor Adeleke knows in his inner mind that he does not, in any way, merit the extension of his tenure beyond 2026 as the right-thinking members of the society who have been monitoring his actions and inactions are sufficiently convinced that the current administration has not added any acceptable value to the status of the state beyond its driver strangely dancing where he is supposed to display in-depth knowledge and tact.”
Adeleke approves uncle’s deputy as Ijesha ruler
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, a former deputy governor of Osun state, was named the Owa-Obokun-elect from the Bilaro ruling house.
Haastrup deputised the late Governor Isiaka Adeleke, who was an uncle to the current governor.
This development comes after the throne was left vacant following Oba Gabriel Aromolaran’s passing in September 2024, after a remarkable 42-year reign. The high chiefs subsequently declared a mourning period, paving the way for the selection of a new king.