The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in the Osun State governorship election, Adebayo Simon Adewale, has withdrawn from the race and declared his support for the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
Adewale announced his withdrawal on Thursday at a press conference, directing members of the APM and his supporters across the state to vote for Adeleke in Saturday’s election.
His announcement was contained in a video shared by the Special Assistant to the governor on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence.
The APM candidate said his decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultation” with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
“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 stressed that his decision was not influenced by pressure or personal interests, but was based on what he described as the need to place the collective interest of Osun State above personal 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.
He said his assessment of the political situation in the state 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,” Adewale said.
The former APM candidate subsequently declared his full support for Adeleke’s re-election and urged his supporters and members of the party to back the incumbent governor at the polls.
“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 driven by his belief that Adeleke’s return to office would promote 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 said.
The development comes two days before the Osun governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15.
Adeleke, who is seeking re-election, is contesting the election alongside other major candidates, including Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress.
Adewale’s withdrawal is expected to alter the political calculations ahead of the poll, particularly among supporters of the APM and other voters who may have been considering his candidacy.
