Osun 2026: In search of issue-based campaigns, manifestos

In the midst of the intensifying heat of the Osun 2026 governorship election, with Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vying for the top seat, several stakeholders are pinning their hopes on a new normal, issue-based campaigns. For Seye Olumide, the renewed push for a peaceful and issue-driven election season is a welcome development, one that could potentially restore voter confidence and ensure that the contest is decided at the ballot box rather than on the streets.

With less than 47 days to the election, political parties, candidates, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and religious leaders are scrambling to ensure that the contest is peaceful. The statistics are telling: months of political tension, sporadic clashes between rival supporters, and allegations of politically motivated attacks have heightened fears of a violent election season. In several flashpoint communities, insecurity and intimidation have raised concerns that voter participation could be suppressed and that confidence in the electoral process could be weakened. The numbers behind these concerns are stark: several incidents of violence, scores of arrests, and an unprecedented level of anxiety among voters.

Leading the call for issue-based campaigns are the APC and its candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji. The party argues that the election should enable voters to objectively compare the developmental agendas of the contestants, rather than being swayed by inflammatory rhetoric or intimidation. This is a bold gamble, one that requires the APC to abandon its traditional tactics and focus on the substance of its programmes. With Oyebamiji at the helm, the party is banking on its performance to defeat the opposition parties, including the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In the midst of the crisis, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and civil society groups have continued to urge supporters to embrace peaceful conduct before, during, and after the election. These groups have played a crucial role in mediating between rival supporters and have helped to reduce tensions in several flashpoint communities. Their efforts have been driven by a sense of responsibility to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful and credible. As the election draws near, their influence will be crucial in shaping the outcome.

As the Osun 2026 governorship election hurtles towards its climax, several questions remain unanswered. Will the calls for issue-based campaigns resonate with voters, or will the traditional tactics of intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric prevail? Will the security agencies be able to prevent violent incidents and ensure a peaceful election?As the election draws near, one prediction stands out: the APC's gamble on issue-based campaigns will either pay off or backfire, depending on how Oyebamiji and his party navigate the treacherous waters of Osun politics.

As the Osun 2026 governorship election hurtles towards its climax, the people of Osun hold the key to a peaceful and credible outcome. With several stakeholders urging them to embrace issue-based campaigns, it remains to be seen whether the people will rise to the challenge.