#OsunDecides2026: Adeleke Extends Lead, Urges Tinubu To Protect People’s Mandate

• Governor Ademola Adeleke has widened his lead in the Osun governorship election, with current results reflected on INEC’s IReV portal showing him ahead of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji as collation progresses.

• The incumbent has appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to intervene by directing security agencies to safeguard the integrity of the ongoing collation process across the state.

• Adeleke alleged attempts by “desperate and rejected politicians” to hijack or disrupt collation centres, insisting that the votes cast by Osun residents must be protected and allowed to determine the final outcome.

• While early results favour the Accord Party, INEC remains the only authority empowered by law to complete collation and officially declare the winner of the election.

August 15, () — Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has consolidated his early advantage in the fiercely contested governorship election, even as he appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene over what he described as attempts to undermine the ongoing collation of results.

Current figures reflected on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal and monitored through the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) Election Day Data Room indicate that Adeleke has extended his lead after about 81 per cent of polling unit results were reportedly processed.

The latest tally shows Adeleke polling 403,645 votes, while his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has secured 350,797 votes.

Although the figures point to a widening advantage for the incumbent governor, they remain provisional pending the completion of the statutory collation process by INEC.

Adeleke Raises Alarm Over Collation Process

As the race entered a critical stage, Adeleke called on President Tinubu to ensure that security agencies deployed for the election remain neutral and protect the democratic process.

In a statement posted on his verified X account on Saturday, the governor expressed concern over what he alleged were coordinated attempts by political opponents to interfere with result collation across parts of the state.

“It is imperative that you use your good office to issue a clear warning to the heads of security agencies deployed to protect the good people of Osun State and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process”, Adeleke stated.

He added that reports of attempts to hijack or disrupt collation centres by “desperate and rejected politicians” were deeply disturbing and posed a threat to the credibility of the election.

The governor urged the President to publicly reaffirm his commitment that every lawful vote cast by Osun residents would count and that the final outcome would accurately reflect the choice of the electorate.

“I, therefore, implore you to reiterate the commitment made to the people of Osun State that their votes will count and that the outcome of this election will reflect their genuine choice”, he said.

Calls for Security Neutrality as INEC Continues Collation

Adeleke specifically called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to remain professional and discharge their responsibilities without interference or bias.

He also urged the Federal Government to provide INEC with every necessary logistical and security support required to conclude the collation process peacefully and transparently.

“The people of Osun State have spoken with one voice, and their voices must be heard. Their votes must be protected, and their mandate must be respected”, the governor declared.

The appeal comes as political tension rises over the final stages of result collation, with party agents and observers maintaining a close watch on proceedings at ward, local government and state collation centres.

While the current results reflected on the IReV portal indicate that Adeleke has maintained a significant lead over his closest rival, the electoral process remains incomplete.

Under Nigeria’s Electoral Act, only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is constitutionally empowered to collate the final results and officially declare the winner of the Osun governorship election.