Osun 2026: Adeleke defends record, Oyebamiji, Salaam unveil plans

The final pitches from the three leading candidates for the Osun State governorship election were presented Tuesday, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke defending his administration's performance. His rivals, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam, outlined their plans for the state.

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If you come to Osun, you will see that I’ve constructed 350km of roads that cut across the state. As for federal roads, I have handled about eight or nine of them, and I haven’t been paid.

During a town hall meeting hosted by Arise Television, Adeleke highlighted his administration's achievements, including the construction of approximately 350 kilometers of roads across Osun. He also noted that his government had undertaken work on several federal roads without receiving payment. Additionally, Adeleke pointed to the upgrade and rehabilitation of over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards, equipped with essential utilities.

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As of today, we have upgraded and rehabilitated over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards, equipped with electricity and clean water.

Adeleke addressed allegations of concentrating development in his hometown of Ede, asserting that his projects have been distributed throughout Osun. He cited recent project inaugurations in Ile-Ife, Ila Orangun, Iwo, Osogbo, and Ilesa as evidence of this widespread development. Responding to questions about his public demeanor, Adeleke dismissed suggestions that his characteristic dancing indicated a lack of seriousness about governance, stating, "I dance and work. There is time to dance, and there is time to work."

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Reports of Edenisation in our administration are false. Yesterday, I just commissioned a flyover in Ile-Ife, and I am not from Ile-Ife.

In contrast, Oyebamiji pledged to prioritize welfare, security, agriculture, education, and health if elected. Salaam centered his campaign agenda on agriculture and community policing. The candidates used the platform to articulate their policy priorities and strategies for tackling the state's economic, security, and development challenges.

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Those who can’t dance are jealous of me. In my family, we have music in our blood. Nobody will stop me from dancing.