The wait is over as voters across Osun State head to the polls today, August 15, to elect the governor who will steer the affairs of the the state for the next four years.
Fifteen candidates are on the ballot, representing different political parties and offering voters a range of choices.
However, the contest has largely drawn attention to three leading figures: incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and former Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Beyond the three major contenders, 12 other candidates are also seeking to upset the established political order and emerge victorious at the end of today’s poll.
Here are the candidates and the parties they represent:
1. Accord Party (A) — Ademola Adeleke
The incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, is seeking a second term in office. Having spent the last four years in government, Adeleke is asking voters to renew his mandate for another four years.
2 Action Alliance (AA) — Olanrewaju Farinloye
Olanrewaju Farinloye is contesting under the Action Alliance, joining the field of candidates seeking to take control of the Osun Government House.
3 African Action Congress (AAC) — Olajide Esan
Olajide Esan is the candidate of the African Action Congress. He is offering voters an alternative to the major parties dominating the contest.
4 African Democratic Congress (ADC) — Najeem Salaam
Najeem Salaam brings years of political experience to the race. The former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly is contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
5 African Democratic Party (ADP) — Adeagbo Opawoye
Adeagbo Opawoye is representing the African Democratic Party in the governorship election.
6 All Progressives Congress (APC) — Bola Oyebamiji
Bola Oyebamiji, a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, is the APC candidate and one of the principal challengers to the incumbent governor.
7 All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) — Adesina Adeyemi-Doro
Adesina Adeyemi-Doro is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, seeking to build enough support across the state to secure victory.
8 Allied Peoples Movement (APM) — Adewale Adebayo
Adewale Adebayo is flying the flag of the Allied Peoples Movement in the contest.
9 Action Peoples Party (APP) — Clement Adesuyi
Clement Adesuyi is the governorship candidate of the Action Peoples Party and is among those seeking to emerge from the crowded field with the winning mandate.
10 Boot Party (BP) — Masilo Adeleke
Masilo Adeleke is contesting under the Boot Party, adding another candidate to the 15-person race.
11 New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) — Taofeek Adeleke
Taofeek Adeleke is the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, seeking the support of Osun voters to become the next governor.
12 Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) — Saliu Oyelami
Saliu Oyelami is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party.
13 Young Progressives Party (YPP) — Olalekan Ogunsakin
Olalekan Ogunsakin is the Young Progressives Party candidate, hoping to appeal to voters looking beyond the state’s dominant political parties.
14 Social Democratic Party (SDP) — Francis Ajala
Francis Ajala is representing the Social Democratic Party in the governorship election.
15 Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — Adefemi Adesuyi
Adefemi Adesuyi completes the list of 15 candidates contesting for the Osun governorship seat under the Zenith Labour Party.
With campaigns now over, the power has shifted from the candidates and their political parties to the electorate.
Adeleke is seeking to retain the office he won four years ago, while Oyebamiji and Salam are among the strongest challengers hoping to deny him a second term.
The other candidates will also be looking to defy expectations and turn today’s election into an upset.
For the electorate, however, the choice goes beyond the names and party symbols on the ballot. Today’s vote will determine who occupies the Osun Government House and shapes the direction of the state for the next four years.
The candidates have made their cases. The campaigns are over. Today, Osun voters have the final say.
The post Osun Decides Today: Meet 15 Candidates Battling For Governorship Seat appeared first on OsunDefender.
