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Two governorship candidates in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election have withdrawn from the race and endorsed the incumbent governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for a second term.
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).
Adewale announced his withdrawal during a press conference in Osogbo, saying the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
He said the decision was not motivated by pressure or personal interest but by a desire to place the interests of the state above his personal 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, I have decided to withdraw from the Osun State governorship election,” he said.
Adewale said he believed the decision was in the interest of peace and stability in the state, adding that Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate his administration’s achievements.
“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 all my supporters, members of Allied Peoples Movement, and the good people of Osun to join me in supporting the election,” Adewale said.
He 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.
Fryo also backs Adeleke
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 support 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 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 two withdrawals came less than 48 hours before the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, following his departure from the PDP. The APC candidate is Bola Oyebamiji, while Najeem Salaam is contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The withdrawals by the APM and PDP candidates reduce the number of active candidates in the final hours of the campaign and come amid heightened political activity ahead of Saturday’s poll.
