The governorship candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the August 15 Osun State election have withdrawn from the contest and endorsed the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
The two candidates, Adebayo Simon Adewale of the APM and Adedamola Adebayo of the PDP, announced their decisions separately on Thursday, barely a day before voters are scheduled to go to the polls.
Adewale disclosed his withdrawal at a press conference, explaining that he arrived at the decision after consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
The APM candidate said he had chosen to sacrifice his personal ambition in the interest of Osun State.
“I, Adebayo Simon Adewale, the governorship candidate of Allied Peoples Movement in Osun governorship election 2026, after deep reflection and extensive consultation with party leaders, supporters, and stakeholders, I have decided to withdraw from the Osun State governorship election,” he said.
Adewale insisted that his decision was voluntary and not the result of pressure from any quarter.
“This decision is not born out of pressure or personal interest; rather, it is a conscious choice to place the interest of Osun above personal ambition,” he said.
He said his assessment of the political environment convinced him that Adeleke should be allowed to continue in office for another term.
“Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Adeleke Ademola deserves another term to consolidate the progress of his administration as recorded,” he said.
The former candidate subsequently urged APM members and his supporters to vote for the Accord Party candidate.
“Accordingly, I hereby declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and I call all my supporters, members of Allied Peoples Movement, and the good people of Osun to join me in supporting the election,” he said.
Adewale said the decision was motivated by his desire to see peace, stability and development sustained in the state.
He urged political actors to put the welfare of the electorate ahead of individual ambitions.
“This decision is about the future of Osun. Politicians should always serve the people, and today I have chosen the path that I believe will best advance peace, stability, development, and the collective interest of our state,” he said.
PDP candidate follows suit
The PDP candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, also announced his withdrawal and endorsement of Adeleke at a separate briefing in Osogbo.
Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, declared his support for Adeleke ahead of Saturday’s election.
“I, Honourable Adedamola Adebayo, known as Fryo, hereby endorse His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election,” he said.
He also appealed to PDP members and supporters to support Adeleke’s bid for a second term.
“I encourage all PDP members, supporters and structure to share this position peacefully. Support the emergence of Ademola Adeleke as the governor till 2030,” Adebayo said.
The withdrawals have altered the field of contenders as the state prepares for Saturday’s election.
Adeleke is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform, while the APC is fielding Bola Oyebamiji. The African Democratic Congress is represented by Najeem Salaam.
With the poll only hours away, the endorsements by the APM and PDP candidates are expected to generate fresh political realignments among their supporters across the state.
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