Two governorship candidates in Saturday’s Osun State election have withdrawn from the race and declared support for incumbent Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The candidates are Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and Adedamola Adebayo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, popularly known as Fryo.
Adewale announced his withdrawal at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, saying it followed wide consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
He said the decision was in the interest of the state and not because of pressure.
“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.
The APM candidate said he believes Adeleke deserves a second term to build on the achievements of 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 urged APM members and his supporters to vote for Adeleke.
“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.
“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.”
*PDP Candidate Also Steps Down*
In a separate briefing also in Osogbo, PDP candidate Adedamola Adebayo announced his withdrawal and endorsement of Adeleke.
“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 called on PDP members and the party structure in the state to rally behind the governor.
“I encourage all PDP members, supporters and structure to share this position peacefully. Support the emergence of Ademola Adeleke as the governor till 2030,” he said.
The two withdrawals came less than 48 hours to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Adeleke is running on the platform of the Accord Party. Other major contenders in the race are Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.