August 15 countdown: LGA-by-LGA battle that will decide Osun’s next gov

Three leading candidates from the same senatorial district are locked in an intense battle ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord, APC’s Bola Oyebamiji and ADC’s Dr Najeem Salaam each consolidating strongholds while wooing swing local government areas.

As analysed by The PUNCH, Adeleke banks on block votes from Ede, Egbedore and Ife Central, while Oyebamiji targets his home federal constituency of Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan and mineral-rich LGAs linked to APC power brokers. Salaam benefits from Aregbesola’s lingering influence in Osogbo and Olorunda.

All three candidates hail from Osun West Senatorial District, making the contest unusually tight with power brokers, running mates’ home LGAs and key political figures potentially deciding the outcome in several battleground councils.