Osun Poll: APM and PDP Contenders Pull Out, Throw Weight Behind Adeleke

In a surprise move, Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Adedamola Adebayo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have both withdrawn from the Osun State governorship election, opting instead to endorse the incumbent governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, ahead of Saturday's poll.

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Adewale made his announcement at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, citing the need to prioritize the interests of Osun State over personal ambitions as the driving force behind his decision.

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According to Adewale, his withdrawal was the result of extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters, and stakeholders, and was not influenced by external pressure or personal interests.

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In a statement, Adewale declared, "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."

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Adewale expressed his belief that Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the progress made by his administration, saying, "Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Adeleke Ademola deserves another term to consolidate the progress of his administration as recorded."

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He subsequently called on his supporters and APM members to back Adeleke's re-election bid, stating, "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."

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Adewale's decision, he said, is aimed at promoting peace, stability, and development in Osun State, adding, "This decision is about the future of Osun, and 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."

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In a separate development, PDP governorship candidate Adedamola Adebayo, also known as Fryo, announced his withdrawal from the election and endorsed Adeleke during a press briefing in Osogbo.

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Adebayo urged PDP members and supporters to back Adeleke, saying, "I, Honourable Adedamola Adebayo, known as Fryo, hereby endorse His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election."

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He called on PDP members, supporters, and the party's structure to support Adeleke, stating, "I encourage all PDP members, supporters and structure to share this position peacefully, and support the emergence of Ademola Adeleke as the governor till 2030."

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The withdrawals by Adewale and Adebayo came less than 48 hours before the governorship election, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday.

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Adeleke is contesting the election on the platform of the Accord Party, while other notable candidates include Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).