JUST IN: Osun APC replaces Deputy Governorship Candidates
JUST IN: Osun APC replaces Deputy Governorship Candidates
The All Progressives Congress has replaced its deputy governorship candidate for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
The change became evident after the Independent National Electoral Commission released the final list of candidates for the election. In the document, the name of Adereti Benjamin Kayode appeared as the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
The updated list shows that Kayode replaced former lawmaker Tunde Lekan Olatunji, whose name had earlier been submitted by the party as the deputy governorship candidate.
Adereti was previously the APC candidate in the 2023 House of Representatives election for the Ife Federal Constituency but lost the contest to Bimbo Ajilesoro of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, INEC’s final list also confirmed other candidates participating in the 2026 Osun governorship election.
Former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, who is contesting under the African Democratic Congress, selected Yemisi Agiri as his running mate.
The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, will seek re-election on the platform of the Accord Party with his current deputy, Kola Adewusi.
INEC’s document, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony and dated March 4, 2026, confirmed the nominees of 14 political parties cleared to participate in the election.
The commission noted that the publication of the final list complies with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, while March 9, 2026 had earlier been fixed as the deadline for releasing the list of nominated candidates.
Earlier in February, INEC had published the particulars of candidates submitted by political parties, where Oyebamiji initially listed Olatunji as his running mate. However, the appearance of Kayode’s name in the final list confirms that the APC has now substituted its deputy governorship candidate ahead of the election.