Osun 2026: Governorship Debate Cancelled Over Candidates’ Absence

A governorship debate scheduled ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election was cancelled on Saturday after several leading candidates failed to appear for the event.

The debate, organised by broadcast stations in the state under the platform of the Osun Media Governorship Debate, was expected to bring governorship candidates together to discuss their plans for the state before voters.

The event was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. but was called off after the organisers said some of the leading candidates declined to participate.

In a statement announcing the cancellation, the organisers said the decision was based on an unfavourable security assessment and the unwillingness of some major governorship candidates to attend under the prevailing circumstances.

The development came barely 24 hours after another governorship debate organised by BBC Yoruba was also held without the participation of some of the major contenders.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, were absent from the BBC Yoruba online debate on Friday evening.

With the election less than two weeks away, the repeated absence of frontline candidates from public debates has raised questions about their willingness to publicly present their programmes and respond to issues affecting the state.

One of the candidates who arrived at the venue before Saturday’s debate was cancelled, African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate, Mr. Olajide Esan.

Esan criticised the candidates who failed to attend, accusing them of avoiding public engagement with voters ahead of the election.

He argued that political parties unwilling to participate in debates had failed to provide convincing alternatives for the people of Osun State.

The AAC candidate also urged residents of the state to carefully consider their choices during the election, encouraging eligible voters to support candidates they believe have the ability to tackle poverty and improve governance.

Osun State is preparing for its governorship election on August 15, with political parties intensifying campaigns across the state as the countdown to the poll continues.