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As preparations intensify for the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election, the Nigeria Police Force has urged members of the public to promptly report emergencies, security concerns and other election-related incidents through designated contact lines.

The public can reach the police through the following numbers:

📞 DIG Election: 08139235585
📞 CP Election: 08134277587
📞 Control Room: 08108756818

Members of the public who wish to report cases of police misconduct can contact the Complaint Response Unit on:

📞 08057000001
📞 08057000002
📞 08057000003

The police urged residents to remain vigilant, peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that timely reporting of incidents would help security agencies respond effectively and maintain a safe environment before, during and after the election.

Your voice matters. Report promptly. Stay peaceful. Help keep Osun safe.

Major Candidates in Osun Governorship Election

The 2026 Osun State Governorship Election is shaping up as a closely contested race, with 14 candidates on the ballot. However, the contest has largely centred on three major candidates — Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam.

Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party

Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election for a second term as governor of Osun State.

Adeleke, who won the 2022 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is now contesting under the Accord Party.

His campaign is anchored on his administration’s record in office, with the governor seeking to retain the state’s top political position for another four years.

Bola Oyebamiji — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is represented by Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, a former Commissioner for Finance in Osun State and former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Oyebamiji emerged as the APC candidate and is regarded as one of the strongest challengers to Adeleke.

The APC is banking on its political structure and support base across the state to return the party to power in Osun.

Najeem Salaam — ADC

Najeem Salaam, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is another prominent contender in the election.

Salaam is a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and has considerable political experience in the state.

His candidacy has also attracted attention as the ADC seeks to strengthen its presence in Osun and across the country ahead of the wider political contests leading to the 2027 general elections.

The Three-Way Contest

With the election approaching, the race is increasingly being viewed as a three-way contest involving Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam, although other candidates are also participating.

The election will therefore test the strength of the incumbent governor’s political machinery, the APC’s efforts to reclaim Osun and the ADC’s growing influence in the state’s political landscape.

With voters across the state expected to decide who will govern Osun for the next four years, security, voter turnout, electoral integrity and the ability of the candidates to mobilise supporters peacefully are expected to be critical factors in determining the outcome.

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The Nigerian Army has opened applications for eligible Nigerians seeking commission into the force under the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027.

The Army announced the commencement of the recruitment exercise in a statement released on Tuesday, saying the application is open to qualified civilians and serving military personnel who meet the required conditions.

Successful applicants will undergo training and, upon commissioning, serve as SSCC officers in the Combat Arms, including the Infantry and Armour Corps, as well as Combat Support Arms comprising the Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence Corps.

Prospective applicants are required to visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal at nashortservice.army.mil.ng and select the SSCC option.

Applicants are expected to carefully follow the instructions provided on the portal when completing their applications.

The Nigerian Army urged members of the public to disregard any recruitment portal or announcement claiming that applications were opened before the official publication.

The Army also advised prospective applicants to rely only on information published through its official channels.

Applicants and members of the public were further encouraged to watch for official recruitment jingles on television and radio stations following the announcement.

The deadline for applications is Saturday, October 17, 2026.

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The governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in the Osun State governorship election, Hon. Adebayo Simon Adewale, has withdrawn from the race and declared his support for the incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.

Adewale announced his decision at a press conference on Thursday, August 13, saying he had reached the decision after deep reflection and extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.

He described his withdrawal as a “conscious choice to place the interest of Osun State above personal ambition,” urging members of the APM and his supporters across the state to vote for Adeleke in Saturday’s election.

According to him, the decision was motivated by his conviction that Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the achievements of his administration.

“Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Ademola Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the progress his administration has recorded,” Adewale said.

He added that his decision was not influenced by pressure or personal interest, but was based on what he described as the collective interest of Osun State.

Adewale said politics should ultimately be about serving the people, stressing that his decision was aimed at promoting peace, stability, development and the overall wellbeing of the state.

“Accordingly, I hereby declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and I call on all my supporters, members of the Allied People’s Movement, and the good people of Osun State to join me in supporting his re-election,” he said.

The APM candidate also directed members of his party and his supporters to back Adeleke at the polls scheduled for Saturday.

He concluded by calling for unity and a focus on the future of Osun State, saying his decision was taken in the belief that it would best serve the people.

“Politics should always serve the people, and today, I have chosen the path that I believe will best advance peace, stability, development, and the collective interest of our state,” he added.

The development comes less than 48 hours before Osun State voters are expected to elect their next governor.