Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed strong confidence in his chances of winning a second term in the 2026 governorship election, citing his performance in office as the basis for his optimism.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, the governor said that the people of Osun are now more politically aware and would vote based on merit rather than party affiliation.
Adeleke said his achievements in office will speak for him at the polls, adding that the 2026 election will be focused on the credibility and capability of candidates rather than the influence of political parties.
He said, “Osun people are wiser. They know the difference between good governance and bad governance, and they have decided to toe the ‘Imole’ path; it is me they are talking about.
“We are not even talking about parties right now; the party is just the platform. And when they compare the records of what my predecessor has done, and they compare [them] with my own records, they have suffered a lot in terms of unpaid salary.
“I came in, I brought hope, I brought light to Osun State. So, my records, first of all, will speak for themselves.”
Adeleke, when asked whether he was not worried about federal might in the election, said he won the 2022 governorship election despite being in the opposition and would do the same in 2026.
He said, “Well, I believe our president is a democrat. He’s been in this position [opposition] before. When he was in opposition, I learned a lot from him, too.
“He’s stood his ground, despite the fact that he was in opposition, and he still won. So, why can’t I do that?
“I was in the opposition when I won last time, and it’s not going to be different.
“So the President and the federal mind that is so-called, when they know that people are the ones to decide, and when the people decide that they want me back, they [ruling party] don’t have any choice. We are practising democracy here.
“So, let people decide, and I believe that they will make the right decision because of my track record, because they want continuity, and I can assure you Imole is here to stay.”