Two governorship candidates in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election have withdrawn from the contest and thrown their weight behind incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, adding a fresh twist to the race less than 48 hours before voters head to the polls.
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).
Both announced their decisions separately in Osogbo and called on their supporters to back Adeleke in Saturday’s election.
Adewale, announcing his withdrawal at a press conference on Thursday, said he arrived at the decision after consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
“After deep reflection and extensive consultation with party leaders, supporters and stakeholders, have decided to withdraw from the Osun State governorship election,” Adewale said.
He said his decision was not prompted by pressure or personal interest, but by what he described as the need to put the interest of Osun State above his personal political ambition.
“This decision is not born out of pressure or personal interest; rather, it is a conscious choice to place the interest of Osun above personal ambition,” he said.
Adewale said his assessment of the political situation in the state had convinced him that Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate what he described as 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 subsequently declared his support for Adeleke and urged APM members and his supporters across the state to do the same.
“I hereby declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke,” Adewale said.
He framed the decision as one aimed at securing peace, stability and development for the state.
“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 said.
PDP candidate follows suit
In a separate development, PDP candidate Adedamola Adebayo also stepped down and endorsed Adeleke ahead of Saturday’s poll.
Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, made the declaration during a press briefing in Osogbo and urged members and supporters of the PDP 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 further appealed to PDP members and the party’s supporters to peacefully align with his decision.
“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 twin withdrawals have injected a new dimension into an already closely watched election, particularly because they occurred on the eve of the poll.
Adeleke is seeking another term on the Accord Party platform, while Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) remain among the principal contenders.
The developments do not, by themselves, amount to a cancellation or alteration of the election.
The poll remains scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the withdrawals representing the individual decisions of the two candidates to step aside and endorse Adeleke.
