By Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, August 05, 2026
OSOGBO — As the August 15 Osun State governorship election draws near, Governor Ademola Adeleke has issued a passionate appeal to the electorate, charging them to resist any attempt by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to drag the state back into what he described as an era of hardship, unpaid wages, and socio-economic stagnation.
Speaking ahead of the crucial off-cycle poll, Governor Adeleke accused the previous administration of deliberately weaponizing poverty against the citizens, particularly civil servants and pensioners, through the infamous half-salary policy and neglect of basic welfare.
The Governor emphasized that the upcoming election is a decisive moment for the state, urging voters to turn out in large numbers to protect their mandate and ensure continuity in governance.
”On August 15, I urge every eligible voter to send a clear and resounding message that Osun has chosen the path of progress, compassion, and good governance,” he added. “Together, we will protect the mandate of the people and keep Osun moving forward.”
The political landscape in Osun State has reached a fever pitch ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Governor Ademola Adeleke, who assumed office following his victory in the July 2022 election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before aligning with Accord for his re-election bid, faces competition from key opposition parties, notably the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by candidate Bola Oyebamiji.
A major focal point of Governor Adeleke’s campaign messaging centers on labor welfare and public service administration. Under previous APC leadership in the state, Osun made national headlines for adopting a modulated salary structure—commonly referred to by labor unions as “half-salaries”—where certain cadres of civil servants and retirees received fractions of their monthly earnings due to fiscal challenges and heavy debt-servicing burdens.
Upon taking office in late 2022, the Adeleke administration prioritized the clearance of inherited salary backlogs, pension arrears, and the full payment of statutory monthly emoluments, anchoring its governance record on worker welfare and infrastructural developments across the 30 local government areas.
With over 2.3 million registered voters scheduled to exercise their franchise across 3,763 polling units, the election is widely seen as a major barometer for political strength in the South-West region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Both the ruling party and opposition groups have intensified campaigns across the three senatorial districts to secure the mandate to steer the affairs of the state for another four-year term.
