Two governorship candidates in the August 15 Osun State election have withdrawn from the contest and thrown their support behind incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke. The candidates are Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, 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 on Thursday during a press conference in Osogbo, saying he arrived at the decision after consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders. The APM candidate said his decision was based on what he described as the need to put the collective interest of Osun above 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.
He maintained that the decision was not prompted by pressure or personal considerations, but followed his assessment of the political situation in the state. According to Adewale, Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate what he described as the progress recorded under the current 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 APM members and his supporters to support Adeleke’s re-election bid.
“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 his decision was ultimately aimed at advancing peace, stability and development in Osun State. He added: “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.”
In a separate development, the PDP governorship candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, also announced his withdrawal and endorsed Adeleke. Adebayo, widely known as Fryo, made the declaration during a press briefing in Osogbo, where he appealed to PDP members and supporters to back the incumbent.
“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 further urged the PDP’s members, supporters and party structure to embrace his position peacefully.
“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 have altered the political calculations ahead of Saturday’s election, with the development coming at a particularly critical stage of the campaign.
Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, while Bola Oyebamiji is contesting for the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Najeem Salaam is the African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate. With less than two days to the poll, the endorsements are expected to draw renewed attention to the alignment of opposition votes and the implications for the leading candidates in the Osun governorship contest.
