Two governorship candidates in Saturday’s Osun State election, Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Adedamola Adebayo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have withdrawn from the race and endorsed the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.

The two candidates announced their decisions separately in Osogbo on Thursday, less than 48 hours before voters are scheduled to elect the governor of the state.

Their withdrawals have altered the political calculations ahead of the election, with both candidates directing their supporters towards Adeleke rather than continuing their individual campaigns.

APM candidate steps down

Adewale announced his withdrawal at a press conference in Osogbo, saying the decision followed what he described as deep reflection and extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.

The APM candidate said his decision was not influenced by pressure or personal interest, but was based on his assessment of the political situation in Osun State.

He said he had chosen to place the interest of the state above his personal political ambition, arguing that politicians should prioritise the welfare and future of the people they seek to represent.

Adewale said Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate the progress recorded by his administration.

He subsequently declared his support for the governor’s re-election and called on his supporters, members of the APM and other residents of the state to back Adeleke at Saturday’s poll.

According to him, the decision was aimed at promoting peace, stability and development in Osun.

“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,” Adewale said.

PDP candidate 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 declared support for Adeleke.

Adebayo made the declaration during a press briefing in Osogbo, where he urged PDP members, supporters and the party’s structure to support the incumbent governor.

He described Adeleke as the candidate whose emergence he now wanted his supporters to support ahead of the August 15 election.

“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 supporters to accept the decision peacefully and work towards Adeleke’s emergence.

“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 announcement effectively brings his campaign for the governorship to an end and redirects his political support towards the incumbent.

Withdrawals come ahead of Saturday poll

The withdrawals came less than 48 hours before the Osun governorship election, adding a fresh development to the final stage of the contest.

Adeleke is seeking another term in office, while other major candidates still in the race include Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The decision by the APM and PDP candidates to withdraw means their supporters are now being asked to support Adeleke at the poll.

Both candidates based their decisions on what they described as the broader interest of Osun State, with Adewale particularly stressing the need for peace, stability and development.

The endorsements could influence the final political mobilisation ahead of Saturday’s election, although the extent to which their supporters will follow their directives will only become clearer at the polls.

With the campaigns drawing to a close, Adeleke and the remaining candidates are expected to focus on their final mobilisation efforts as voters prepare to determine the next governor of Osun State.