By Shina Abubakar, OSOGBO
As the Osun State electorate prepares to vote for a governor on August 15, several factors—chief among them the personalities and track records of the candidates — will play a decisive role in shaping voter choices.
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Although Ademola Adeleke is the incumbent, his two main challengers are far from newcomers in Osun politics. Both possess extensive political histories that cannot be easily overlooked.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, served as Speaker of the State House of Assembly for eight years during the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Meanwhile, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (popularly known as AMBO), standard-bearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC), served as the Managing Director of Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL) before holding office as Commissioner for Finance under both Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.
Governor Ademola Adeleke (Accord)
Strengths
Before his election as governor, Adeleke served in the Senate but lacked executive public office experience, leading critics to question his administrative capacity. However, the governor has sought to silence doubters by highlighting key infrastructure milestones, including the reported construction of over 300 kilometers of roads during his first three years in office. He has also actively countered accusations of favoring his hometown of Ede over other zones across the state.
A cornerstone of Adeleke’s appeal is his strong relationship with the state workforce. His administration prioritised civil servant welfare through prompt salary payments and the liquidation of salary arrears inherited from the Aregbesola era.
Beyond policy, Adeleke benefits from considerable “street credibility” stemming from his background as an entertainer. His charismatic persona and famous public dancing continue to endear him to voters, particularly Gen Z. Additionally, the explicit endorsement of his nephew—Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke (Davido)—gives him added popularity among young electors.
Weaknesses
Despite Adeleke’s personal popularity, internal friction within his former party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), forced his departure to the Accord party. Moving away from an established party platform presents a structural challenge.
Furthermore, several high-profile allies—including federal lawmakers elected alongside him on the PDP ticket—did not follow him to Accord. Key political heavyweights such as former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Fatai Akinbade remained in the PDP or aligned elsewhere, leaving Adeleke’s new platform without the full breadth of the old coalition.
Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji / AMBO (APC)
Strengths
The APC candidate’s primary strength lies in his calm demeanor and disciplined professional reputation. While Oyebamiji lacked a standalone personal political machinery prior to declaring his candidacy, he now enjoys the backing of the consolidated APC structure across Osun State.
Oyebamiji also benefits from the explicit backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as alignment from major political gladiators in the Osun East Senatorial District who have mobilized behind the “AMBO project.” The APC’s deep organizational presence across all 3,671 polling units in the state gives Oyebamiji a formidable ground game capable of matching the incumbent’s grassroots appeal.
Because Adeleke, Oyebamiji, and Salaam all hail from the Osun West Senatorial District, the zone is poised to become a tightly contested battleground.
Weaknesses
Oyebamiji’s main vulnerability stems from his tenure as Commissioner for Finance during Governor Aregbesola’s second term, when the controversial “modulated” (half) salary structure was introduced for civil servants.
Although Oyebamiji has addressed the issue publicly on multiple occasions—explaining that the policy was a negotiated response to financial constraints agreed upon with labor leaders rather than an arbitrary imposition—it remains a sensitive topic among public sector workers.
Right Honorable Najeem Salaam (ADC)
Strengths
During his eight-year tenure as Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Salaam maintained legislative stability without major internal crises. He is widely respected across party lines as a consensus builder and a political gentleman.
Salam’s approachable nature and clean legislative record resonate with moderate voters who are seeking an alternative to the two dominant parties.
Weaknesses
Salaam’s chief hurdle is the limited organizational spread of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State. Lacking the widespread footprint of the APC or Accord, the ADC is not viewed by the leading campaigns as an immediate threat to win outright.
However, given his personal standing in Osun West, Salaam could serve as a key spoiler—and whichever major candidate he aligns with in the final stretch could gain a crucial edge in the race for Government House.
Vanguard News
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