Osun 2026: APC picks Ile-Ife indigene Adereti as Oyebamiji’s running mate
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday released the final list of candidates for the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, confirming Benjamin Adereti as the running mate to
- …INEC publishes final list
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday released the final list of candidates for the 2026 governorship election in Osun State, confirming Benjamin Adereti as the running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
The development settles earlier uncertainty within the APC after the commission’s preliminary list had indicated that the party selected a former Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Olatunji, from Edunabon in Ife North Local Government Area, as deputy governorship candidate.
The initial publication had generated mixed reactions among party members and supporters before the final list clarified the party’s ticket.
According to the commission, 14 political parties will participate in the election, excluding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).
The list shows that the Accord Party is presenting Governor Ademola Adeleke as its governorship candidate with Prince Kola Adewusi as running mate. In the Action Alliance (AA), Olarewaju Farinloye is the governorship candidate with Fadahunsi Olaniyi as deputy.
The African Action Congress (AAC) has Esan Olajide as its candidate with Bello Yekeen as running mate, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is fielding Salam Najeem with Yemisi Temitope as deputy.
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) is presenting Adeagbo Opawoye as its governorship candidate with Atanda Babatunde as running mate.
For the APC, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji will contest the governorship election alongside Benjamin Adereti as his deputy.
Other parties on the ballot include the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with Adeyemi-Doro Olusanya and Duro-Oni Duro as deputy; the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) with Adewale Adebayo and Jimoh Shina as running mate; and the Action Peoples Party (APP) with Adesuyi Banji Clement and Odesola Oluseye.
The Boot Party (BP) is fielding Adeleke Masilo with Aresa Kehinde Adenike as deputy.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is presenting Adeleke Taofeek with Adeyera Adesola as running mate, while the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has Saliu Oyelami and Adewale Alabi Solomon as deputy.
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) is represented by Ogunsakin Enoch with Oyetola Taye as running mate, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) fields Adesuyi John Olufemi with Abdulsalam Olamide as deputy.
With the final list now published, the APC effectively replaced the name of the former lawmaker, Olatunji, with Adereti, an indigene of Ile-Ife who contested the House of Representatives seat for Ife Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election.
Adereti narrowly lost that contest after polling 51,051 votes against 53,078 recorded by his opponent.
Reacting to the development, the APC, through its Director of Media, Kola Olabisi, described the choice of Adereti as a strategic decision aimed at strengthening the party’s chances in the governorship election.
He noted that the move was designed to balance political interests and position the party strongly ahead of the poll.
