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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Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Adedamola Adebayo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have withdrawn from the race and endorsed the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
Adewale announced his withdrawal at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, saying the decision followed consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
The APM candidate said he made the decision after assessing the political situation in the state, insisting that his choice was driven by what he considered to be the broader interest of Osun rather than personal ambition.
Adewale said Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate the progress recorded by his administration and subsequently urged his supporters and APM members to back the incumbent at Saturday’s poll.
He said the decision was intended to promote peace, stability and development in the state, adding that politicians should prioritise the interests of the people they seek to represent.
In a separate development, the PDP governorship candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, also announced his withdrawal 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.
“I encourage all PDP members, supporters and structure to share this position peacefully. Support the emergence of Ademola Adeleke as the governor till 2030,” he said.
The withdrawals came less than 48 hours before voters are due to decide Adeleke’s fate in the Saturday’s governorship election, with both candidates now directing their supporters towards the incumbent rather than continuing their own campaigns.
