INEC Approves 14 Political Parties for Osun 2026 Governorship Election, Excludes PDP and LP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that 14 political parties will be eligible to participate in the governorship election scheduled for August 8, 2026, in Osun State.

This information was conveyed through a statement released by the INEC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Olurode, on Sunday in Osogbo.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the list of validated parties disappointingly does not include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the Labour Party (LP).

Olurode clarified that only those political parties that duly completed their primary elections and submitted the details of their candidates within the specified timeline set by the commission are allowed to participate in the upcoming election.

The political parties that successfully uploaded their candidates' information as released by the Commission's Headquarters are: Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and All Progressives Congress (APC).

Also listed are the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Olurode emphasized that in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Item 4 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Osun Governorship Election, the Commission has made available the personal particulars of the candidates and their deputies (Form EC9).

He added that copies of each candidate’s Form EC9, along with all accompanying academic credentials and other documents submitted, will be accessible at the INEC State Office, across all 30 Local Government Area offices, and the Area Office of the Commission in Osun starting Monday, February 16.

The public and all concerned political factions were encouraged to review the published documents in accordance with legal provisions.

In preparation for the August 8 governorship election, members of the National and State Assemblies elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun have declared their support for the Accord Party and its candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

This endorsement came in a communiqué following a stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo. it was noted that Adeleke had transitioned from the PDP to the Accord Party on December 9, 2025, with the aim of seeking re-election.

The communiqué, which was presented by the Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi, highlighted their endorsement of Adeleke based on his track record in infrastructure development, worker welfare, healthcare, education, and commitments to democratic stability.

It further stated that the recent political realignments in Osun do not undermine the strength, structure, or grassroots backing for either the governor or the PDP in the state.

The lawmakers also expressed their confidence in the leadership of Mr. Sunday Bisi, the PDP Chairman in Osun, praising him alongside the State Working Committee and the leadership across all 30 local councils and 332 wards in the state.

Moreover, the communiqué urged President Bola Tinubu to play a role in resolving the local government crisis currently affecting the state.

The representatives mentioned that the prolonged suspension of local government allocations has resulted in unnecessary economic challenges for educators, healthcare workers, civil servants, retirees, and traditional institutions operating at the community level.

On a related note, five National Assembly members who were elected under the PDP officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday. (NAN)