The battle for Osun’s top seat thickens as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday, March 10 lifted the ban on campaign activities which allows political parties and their candidates to seek voters’ support ahead of the gubernatorial election in the state.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier released the final list of candidates for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
A check by WITHIN NIGERIA into a statement released by the commission revealed that a total of 14 political parties were cleared to participate in the election but two political parties namely; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) were absent from the list.
Findings by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that three out of fourteen political parties namely; the Accord Party (AP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) present popular candidates – Ademola Adeleke, Bola Oyebamiji and Najeem Salam.
Meet the “Major” gubernatorial candidates in Osun:
ADEMOLA ADELEKE
Ademola Adeleke, a former senator and current Governor of Osun State was born on May 13, 1960 in Enugu, Nigeria. The Ede-born politician is the gubernatorial candidate of the Accord Party in Osun. He attended Methodist Primary School, Surulere, Lagos State, and Nawarudeen Primary School, Ikire.
He later attended The Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School, Ede, and Ede Muslim Grammar School, Ede, before relocating to the United States. He attended Jacksonville State University, Alabama where he reportedly obtained a degree in Criminal Justice. He later attended Atlanta Metropolitan State College where he reportedly obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
BOLA OYEBAMIJI
Bola Oyebamiji, a former commissioner of finance and ex-Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) was born on November 17, 1965, in Ikire, Osun State. He had previously served as a Managing Director of Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL) under Aregbesola-led administration.
The Ikire-born politician is the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun. He attended A.D.C Primary School, Oke-Ada, Ikire (1971-1977). He also attended Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire (1978-1982).
He attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance. He also attended the Lagos State University where he reportedly obtained a Master’s in Public Administration. He attended the University of Ado-Ekiti where he reportedly obtained a MBA.
NAJEEM SALAM
Najeem Salam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly was born on August 8, 1965, in Ejigbo, Osun State. The Ejigbo-born politician is the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun.
He attended Ansar-U-Deen Primary School, Ejigbo (1975-1981). He also attended Baptist School, Ola (1981-1986) and Baptist High School, Ejigbo (1986-1987) where he completed his secondary education.
He attended Oyo State College of Arts and Science for his ‘A’ level studies (1987-1989). He later attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife where he earned a BSc in Political Science. He also obtained his Masters and Ph.D in Political Science from Obafemi Awolowo University.
