Adeleke’s Victory Unchallenged As Osun Tribunal Window Closes

​Governor Ademola Adeleke’s path to a second term is officially clear of legal hurdles. Following the expiration of the mandatory 21-day window on Saturday, September 5, 2026, the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal recorded zero petitions challenging the outcome of the August 15 governorship election.

​The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier declared Adeleke, running on the platform of the Accord Party, as the winner after he polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 444,815 votes. Fifteen political parties fielded candidates in the fiercely contested off-cycle poll.

​Despite the high stakes and the subsequent opening of the tribunal registry at the State High Court premises in Oke Fia, Osogbo, none of the defeated parties or candidates lodged an appeal before the midnight deadline.

​Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, Victor Akande, lauded the opposition for demonstrating political maturity. He noted that choosing to let the electoral process rest without unnecessary litigation is a welcome shift that strengthens democratic consolidation in the country.

​Similarly, Olugbenga Ajala, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), remarked that stakeholders widely perceived the election process as fair, removing any moral or factual justification to contest the results at the tribunal.

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​While the APC and its candidate previously indicated they were reviewing the results—and Oyebamiji had earlier extended a congratulatory note—sources within the opposition legal circles hinted that the party ultimately resolved to prioritize peace and stability in the state over protracted court battles.

​With the legal timeframe now fully elapsed and no petitions on record, the electoral victory stands unencumbered. Governor Adeleke is set to take his oath of office for a second term on November 27, 2026, completely free from legal distractions.