Two governorship candidates have withdrawn from Saturday’s Osun State election and thrown their support behind incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke. The candidates are Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and Adedamola Adebayo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Their decisions came less than 48 hours before voters are scheduled to elect the next governor of the state.
Adewale announced his withdrawal during a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday. He said the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders. The APM candidate explained that his decision was based on what he considered the broader interest of Osun State rather than personal political ambition.
“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, have decided to withdraw from the Osun State governorship election,” he said.
Adewale said his decision was not the result of pressure, but followed his assessment of the political situation in the state. He said Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate what he described as the progress recorded by his 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 urged his supporters and members of the APM to support Adeleke in Saturday’s poll. “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 intended to promote peace, stability and development across 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.
In a separate development, the PDP governorship candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, also withdrew from the race and endorsed Adeleke. Adebayo announced his decision during a press briefing in Osogbo, where he called on 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 appealed to the PDP’s members and political structure to support Adeleke. “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 Osun election withdrawals have altered the political landscape less than two days before polling. Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, while Bola Oyebamiji is contesting for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Najeem Salaam is the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The withdrawals by the APM and PDP candidates could potentially redirect some of their supporters towards Adeleke as the remaining candidates make their final push for votes. The developments also add another dimension to an already closely watched election, with political parties and candidates intensifying mobilisation ahead of Saturday’s poll.
