PDP, Labour Party Absent as INEC Publishes Final List for Osun Governorship Race

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, a development that has drawn sharp attention as neither the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor the Labour Party (LP) appear on the official roster of contestants. The final list was issued following a formal statement by Musa Olurode, INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Osun, confirming that 14 political parties qualified candidates for the poll scheduled for 8 August 2026.

Among the parties cleared are Accord, All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and others who met the statutory requirements by completing primaries and submitting candidate particulars within the commission’s stipulated deadline.

The absence of the PDP and LP (both historically significant political forces in the South‑West) stems from their failure to finalise and upload valid candidate and running‑mate documentation in compliance with INEC’s timetable and Electoral Act provisions governing nomination processes. Analysts say this omission may reshape the competitive landscape of the Osun contest, potentially benefiting parties like APC and Accord, whose candidates are now positioned to capture broader voter support.

The development has also sparked internal reactions within the excluded parties, with PDP stakeholders urging organisational reviews to address procedural lapses ahead of future electoral bids.

Campaigning will now proceed with the cleared candidates as INEC advances toward the election date under its 2026 electoral timetable..