Two governorship candidates in Saturday’s Osun State election — Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Adedamola Adebayo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — have withdrawn from the race and endorsed the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
Adewale announced his withdrawal at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, saying the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
The APM candidate said he decided to step down after carefully considering the political situation in the state and concluding that the interest of Osun should take precedence over his personal ambition.
“I, Adebayo Simon Adewale, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in the 2026 Osun governorship election, after deep reflection and extensive consultation with party leaders, supporters and stakeholders, have decided to withdraw from the Osun State governorship election,” he said.
Adewale said his decision was not the result of pressure or personal interests but was based on his assessment of the political circumstances in the state.
He said Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate what he described as the achievements of the incumbent administration.
“Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Adeleke Ademola deserves another term to consolidate the progress of his administration as recorded,” he said.
He subsequently called on his supporters and members of the APM to support Adeleke’s re-election.
“Accordingly, I hereby declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and I call on all my supporters, members of the Allied Peoples Movement, and the good people of Osun to join me in supporting his election,” he said.
Adewale said his decision was aimed at promoting peace, stability and development in the state.
“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 added.
PDP candidate also withdraws
In a separate development, the PDP governorship candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, also announced his withdrawal from the election and endorsed Adeleke.
Adebayo made the declaration during a press briefing in Osogbo, where he urged PDP members and supporters to back the incumbent governor.
“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 called on PDP members, supporters and the party’s structures to support Adeleke.
“I encourage all PDP members, supporters and structures to share this position peacefully. Support the emergence of Ademola Adeleke as governor till 2030,” he said.
The two withdrawals came less than 48 hours before the governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, August 15.
Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, while Bola Oyebamiji is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam is contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
