Osun 2026: APC, PDP challenge Adeleke’s victory at election tribunal

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have filed separate petitions challenging the outcome of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, which returned Ademola Adeleke to office for a second term.

The petitions were displayed on the notice board of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo on Monday, September 7, signalling the commencement of the legal battle over the election result.

The development came a day after reports indicated that no petition had been filed before the expiration of the 21-day period allowed by law to challenge the election outcome.

However, the latest development confirms that both the APC and PDP have now approached the tribunal.

APC challenges election outcome

The APC petition, marked EPT/OS/GOV/01/2026, was filed by the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

Oyebamiji listed Adeleke, the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents in the petition.

The PDP’s petition, marked EPT/OS/GOV/02/2026, was filed by Adebayo Adedamola against Adeleke, INEC and the Accord Party.

Details of the petitions, including the specific grounds being relied upon to challenge the election, were not publicly available as of Monday.

Adeleke declared winner

Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared the winner by INEC after polling 511,067 votes.

He defeated Oyebamiji of the APC, who secured 444,815 votes.

The election result had been followed by uncertainty over whether the opposition parties would challenge the outcome at the tribunal.

Earlier reports had indicated that the APC had decided against filing a petition in the interest of peace, despite reportedly having grounds to challenge the result.

Oyebamiji had also congratulated Adeleke on his re-election while stating that the APC would pursue justice and fairness through lawful and constitutional means.

Tribunal process begins

With the petitions now displayed, the election dispute has formally moved to the tribunal.

The tribunal is expected to proceed with the necessary legal processes, including service of the petitions on the respondents and subsequent pre-hearing proceedings.

The petitions will now determine whether the opposition parties can establish sufficient grounds to challenge Adeleke’s re-election and seek an overturning of the election result.