As the political temperature rises in Osun State ahead of the 2026 off-cycle governorship election, four candidates from disparate parties are emerging as frontrunners in what promises to be a fiercely contested race.
With Governor Ademola Adeleke’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) amid political miscalculations, the field has widened, pitting different seasoned hands hungry for change.
This investigative report delves into the backgrounds, pre-political careers, and potential pitfalls of Joseph Adeseye Famojuro (PDP), Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (APC), Najeem Salaam Folasayo (ADC), and Ademola Adeleke (now eyeing ACCORD/APGA).
Drawing from public records, interviews and archival digs, we uncover the men behind the manifestos, and why some, might just eclipse the rest.
Joseph Adeseye Famojuro: The Shadow Architect of Success in Oyo Poised for the Spotlight
In a race cluttered with familiar faces, Joseph Adeseye Famojuro, often called JAF, stands out as a beacon of quiet competence and strategic acumen.
Born in Ilare, Osun State, Famojuro is a true son of the soil, with deep roots that could resonate strongly with voters seeking an indigene who understands the local pulse.
But it’s his pre-political career that truly sets him apart: For over 25 years, Famojuro has been a titan in real estate development and construction engineering, building empires from the ground up in a sector notorious for its cutthroat demands.
Sources close to his operations describe him as a visionary who turned modest ventures into multibillion-naira portfolios, emphasizing sustainable projects that created jobs and infrastructure in Nigeria and beyond.
His well-read demeanor bolstered by advanced education in business fields, has earned him a reputation for intellectual rigor, far surpassing the rote political schooling of many peers.
Famojuro’s foray into politics wasn’t a leap but a natural evolution. Before stepping into the public eye, he honed his skills in the private sector, where his command of decorum and unflappable poise in high-stakes negotiations became legendary.
Since aligning with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Famojuro has operated from the shadows as a key architect of the administration’s triumphs; from economic reforms to infrastructure booms that have made Oyo a model for the south western region.
He’s credited with being the “bridge-builder” and “strategic mobilizer” behind Makinde’s electoral victories and policy wins, earning him the moniker of a graduate from the “Seyi Makinde school of governance.”
This wealth of experience positions him as the candidate best equipped to serve Osun’s people, promising a blend of business savvy and administrative finesse that could revitalize the state’s economy and infrastructure.
Yet, our investigation reveals a potential snag that could derail this promising candidacy: Deep skepticism surrounds whether Makinde will release his closest ally.
Multiple sources in Oyo’s corridors of power confide that Famojuro is indispensable to the current administration, handling sensitive mobilizations and backroom strategies that keeps the governor’s machine humming.
“Seye is the glue,” one insider told us on condition of anonymity. “Makinde confides in him for everything from crisis management to party unification. Letting him go to Osun? It’s like cutting off your right hand.”
Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji: The Banker-Turned-Technocrat with a Fiscal Edge
Shifting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) corner, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji affectionately dubbed AMBO, brings a resume steeped in financial expertise.
Hailing from Osun, Oyebamiji’s pre-political life was defined by a robust banking career spanning nearly three decades. Starting in the late 1980s at Wema Bank, he climbed the ranks through senior executive roles at Spring Bank and Enterprise Bank, where he specialized in financial strategy and risk management.
His tenure as Managing Director of the Osun State Investment Company Limited showcased his ability to steer public funds toward growth, laying the groundwork for his later political roles.
Before diving into politics, Oyebamiji was the quintessential corporate climber, a technocrat who balanced ledgers and built institutions. This background has fueled his rise: He served twice as Osun’s Commissioner for Finance under previous administrations, implementing reforms that stabilized the state’s economy during turbulent times.
Now as MD/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority, he’s expanded his scope to national infrastructure. Proponents argue his fiscal discipline could address Osun’s budgetary woes, but critics point to his APC ties as potentially polarizing in a state weary of party infighting.
Najeem Salaam Folasayo: From Humble Beginnings to Legislative Stalwart
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its weight behind Najeem Salaam Folasayo, a philanthropist and former two-term Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly.
Born on August 8, 1965, in Ejigbo, Osun, Salaam’s early life was a classic rag-to-riches tale. After completing his NYSC, he opted against a cushy Abuja posting, instead returning home to build a foundation in business and community work—though specifics remain sparse in public records, with hints of entrepreneurial ventures in local trade and development.
His pre-political career emphasized grassroots philanthropy, funding medical and health initiatives that endeared him to constituents.
Entering politics via the assembly, he rose to Speaker, navigating Osun’s fractious legislature with a focus on consensus-building. As ADC’s pick for 2026, Salaam positions himself as a unifier, but his insider status raises questions about fresh ideas in a state craving innovation.
Ademola Adeleke: The Dancing Governor Who Mistook the Nightclub for the Government House
Finally, the wildcard: Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, now reportedly courting ACCORD or APGA after a dramatic PDP exit amid serious political miscalculations. Born May 13, 1960, in Enugu to a prominent political family. Adeleke’s life has been one of inherited privilege rather than hard-won achievement.
If politics and governance were a music video, Ademola Adeleke would be the undisputed champion: hips rolling, designer agbada flying, bottle-popping in one hand, microphone in the other, shouting “E choke!” while the state treasury quietly chokes for air. Unfortunately for the people of Osun, the job description was “GOVERNOR,” not “CHIEF ENTERTAINER.”
Before he accidentally wandered into the governorship mansion, Adeleke’s résumé was lighter than his campaign disco lights.
Investigative scrutiny reveals little evidence of leading successful businesses or holding substantive roles; instead, he’s often portrayed as relying on the Adeleke dynasty’s fortunes to sustain a lifestyle of excess.
A few months as an “executive director” at Guinness Nigeria (a ceremonial title handed to him because his family name opens doors faster than a police escort), then chairman of a family holding company that basically prints money while he prints dance steps.
No business he started from scratch. No company he turned around. No single employee anywhere who can say, “Oga Adeleke built this with his own hands.” Just inherited wealth, and an endless party budget.
Education? Adeleke’s educational background remains a point of contention, with questionable academic qualifications that required a court order to breathe.
“Today, as sitting governor, the man still behaves like tomorrow is another club opening. State functions now come with live bands and backup dancers. Commissioning a borehole? Bring the DJ.
Flagging off a road project? First do the “Buga” challenge on top of the grader. Osun people are now asking the painful question: Did we elect a Governor or book a permanent DJ for four years? Because for each time there are serious governance issues, the response is the same: drop a new dance video and hope the issues dances away.
In 2026, voters will have to decide: Do they want a governor, or do they want the guy who turns governance into an endless owambe? One thing is clear: when history writes the chapter on the Adeleke led administration, the title won’t be “The Giant Strides of Osun.”
It will simply be “E Choke: The Remix.”, a critic remarked.
Critics argue this “dancing governor” image masks a void in executive experience, with Osun’s progress attributed more to aides than his leadership.
In a state grappling with real issues, Adeleke’s jet-setting and junketing lifestyle could prove a liability, with his tenure getting more and more overshadowed by a public persona centered on flamboyance: Viral videos of embarrassing body-moving dances, partying, and what sources describe as over-indulgence in revelry, including drinking, have raised eyebrows about his fitness for office.
Skyline Investigative Desk
