OSUN 2026: AAC Guber Candidate Olajide Esan Vows Stronger Return After Loss

The African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Olajide Esan, has vowed that his political movement will return stronger after finishing eighth in the poll.

Esan made the declaration in a message posted on his official X handle on Sunday, while thanking residents of the state for their support during the election.

He said the Irapada Osun movement was established with a broader objective beyond securing electoral victory, focusing instead on what he described as changing the mindset of the people and achieving their liberation.

“When we launched the IRAPADAOSUN movement under the banner of the African Action Congress (AAC), it was not based on the narrow goal of winning an election, it was based on something that is far greater: THE AWAKENING OF THE MINDS AND TRUE LIBERATION OF OUR PEOPLE,” he said.

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Esan also criticised the role of money in Nigerian politics, arguing that financial influence and the difficult economic conditions facing citizens would not permanently stop his movement.

“The monetization of politics by the moneybags won’t silence us forever. Even though our people are trapped by weaponized hunger, poverty and ignorance that have been fashioned against them, the tide is turning, and the grip that the oppressors have on the people is loosening,” he said.

He maintained that the movement’s political journey was only beginning and promised a stronger push for what he described as good governance.

“This is only the beginning, we will be back stronger, better, and more steadfast in our fight to restore good governance back to the people,” Esan added.

Esan, who was supported during the campaign by AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, secured 1,458 votes to finish eighth among the 15 candidates who contested the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party winner after he secured 511,067 votes.

Adeleke defeated his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. The governor won 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in the remaining 11.

Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress finished third with 17,180 votes.