Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the August 15 Osun governorship election has been attributed to a combination of his administration’s performance, strong grassroots mobilisation and the enduring political influence of the Adeleke family in the state.

He secured a second term after defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in a keenly contested poll, winning 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas.

Beyond party structures, Adeleke’s campaign was built around his administration’s record in infrastructure, road construction, healthcare and other development projects. These achievements provided the incumbent with a performance-based message as he sought to convince voters to renew his mandate.

The election also exposed challenges within the opposition camp, including political divisions and difficulties in matching Adeleke’s grassroots network. With the result, the governor has secured another four years to consolidate his administration’s programmes and fulfil the promises made during the campaign.

Here are five major factors that contributed to the governor’s re-election.

1. Incumbency advantage and visible performance

Adeleke was able to campaign on projects and policies delivered during his first term, giving voters a basis to assess his administration rather than relying solely on promises.

2. Strong grassroots political structure

His campaign maintained a strong presence across Osun’s 30 LGAs. The final results show the depth of that structure, with Adeleke winning 19 LGAs, compared with 11 for Oyebamiji.

3. Adeleke family’s political influence

The Adeleke family remains a major political force in Osun, particularly in Ede and parts of Osun West. The governor’s political network and longstanding grassroots relationships helped consolidate support.

4. Effective campaign strategy and Accord platform

After leaving the PDP, Adeleke successfully used the Accord Party as his platform and attracted political support and defectors. The strategy allowed him to present the election as a contest centred on his administration rather than simply a conventional party-versus-party battle.

5. Support beyond his traditional political base

Adeleke’s victory margin of 66,252 votes suggests that he secured substantial support across different parts of the state, not merely his home base. His ability to retain enough of his 2022 coalition while attracting additional voters proved decisive. (The Nation)

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