As preparations intensify for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, a review of the digital campaign infrastructure of candidates shows that most of them do not maintain dedicated campaign websites where voters can access detailed information about their agendas.
An assessment of the online presence of the governorship candidates indicates that only one candidate currently operates a dedicated campaign website, while the rest appear to rely mainly on social media platforms, party structures, and traditional media coverage to communicate with voters.
Olanrewaju Farinloye, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), operates a campaign website that provides information about his political message, policy themes, and campaign activities. The site also serves as a platform where supporters can learn more about the campaign and follow updates from the candidate.
By contrast, the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the Accord Party, does not appear to operate a standalone campaign website. Information relating to his political activities is instead published largely through the Osun State government website and through reports in the media.
For other candidates contesting the election, including Esan Olajide of the African Action Congress (AAC), Salaam Najeem Folasayo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Adeagbo Opawoye Yemisi of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adeyemi-Doro Adesina of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Adeleke Adesoji Masilo of the Boot Party (BP), Adeleke Adewale Taofeek of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Saliu Razaq Oyelami of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), no dedicated campaign websites could be verified.
Based on this assessment, only one of the candidates reviewed operates a dedicated campaign website, while another relies on an official government platform for communication. The remaining candidates do not appear to have identifiable campaign websites at the time of the review.
Campaign websites are often used in political contests to present detailed policy proposals, candidate biographies, and campaign manifestos in a single location. They can also serve as archives of speeches, policy documents, and campaign announcements that voters can consult over time.
In the absence of such platforms, voters who wish to learn about candidates must rely on a combination of news reports, social media posts, and party statements to obtain information about campaign activities and policy priorities.
In recent election cycles in Nigeria, many candidates have increasingly relied on social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp to reach supporters and mobilise voters. These platforms allow campaigns to communicate rapidly with large audiences and to share short updates about rallies, endorsements, and political statements.
However, social media communication is often fragmented across multiple platforms, which can make it difficult for voters to locate comprehensive information about candidates’ positions on key issues such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and economic policy.
A campaign website, when available, typically serves as a central point where such information can be organised and accessed by voters, journalists, and civil society organisations interested in evaluating candidates.
The limited presence of campaign websites among the candidates in the Osun governorship race highlights the extent to which digital campaign strategies in subnational elections may still depend more heavily on social media and traditional campaign activities than on structured web platforms.
As the election campaign progresses, candidates may still expand their online presence by launching websites or updating existing digital platforms to provide more detailed information about their policy agendas and campaign programmes.
For voters seeking to compare the candidates ahead of the election, information about campaign activities and policy proposals will likely continue to come primarily from media coverage, interviews, party communications, and statements released by the candidates themselves.
