Osun Election: APM, PDP Candidates Withdraw, Endorse Governor Adeleke

Governor Ademola Adeleke

Osun Election: APM, PDP Candidates Withdraw, Endorse Governor Adeleke

With less than 48 hours to go before voters in Osun State head to the polls, two governorship candidates have withdrawn from Saturday’s election and thrown their weight behind the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke. The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adebayo Simon Adewale, announced his withdrawal from the race at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, August 13, 2026, directing members of his party and his supporters across the state to vote for Governor Adeleke, who is contesting on the platform of the Accord Party. Adewale said his decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultation” with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders, and he stressed that the move was not influenced by pressure or personal interest but by what he described as the need to place the interest of Osun State above personal ambition.

Adewale explained that after assessing the political situation in the state, he believed Governor Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate what he described as the achievements of his administration. “Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the progress his administration has recorded,” Adewale said. The APM candidate subsequently declared his full support for the governor’s re-election and called on his supporters, APM members and residents of Osun State to back Adeleke at the poll. He emphasized that his decision was ultimately about the future of the state rather than his political ambition, stating, “This decision is about the future of Osun. Politics 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, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, also announced his withdrawal from the election and endorsed Governor Adeleke. Adebayo made the declaration during a press briefing in Osogbo, where he explained that his decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and a careful assessment of the political situation in the state. He stressed that his priority was the broader interest of Osun State rather than personal political ambition. “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 come just hours before the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the PDP. The main contenders in the race include Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The APGA candidate, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, had earlier withdrawn from the race and endorsed Oyebamiji, creating a complex web of political realignments as various candidates and parties position themselves for the contest.

The APM had earlier built its campaign around Adewale, with the party also attracting political support from sections of the PDP. The withdrawal represents a significant shift in the political landscape, as Adewale’s decision to back Adeleke effectively dissolves the APM’s challenge to the incumbent. This development comes after former Osun governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola had earlier announced his support for the APM candidate, Adewale Adebayo, ahead of the August election. Oyinlola had rejected claims of a PDP-Accord arrangement in the state and said the political structure he was working with had aligned with the APM. “This is a movement that combines APM and PDP. We form an alliance to present a formidable force for the forthcoming elections,” Oyinlola had said.

However, it is worth noting that the political landscape remains competitive. A faction of the Accord Party, led by Chris Imumolen, has reportedly withdrawn its support for Adeleke and endorsed the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. This development highlights the internal divisions within political parties and the fluid nature of political alliances in the run-up to the election. The faction’s decision to back the APC candidate further complicates the electoral calculus and underscores the intense competition between the major political forces in the state.

The last-minute realignments, though significant politically, are not likely to affect the number of candidates on the ballot, which INEC has already designed for the election. The withdrawals and endorsements reflect the strategic calculations of political actors seeking to maximize their influence and position themselves for the post-election landscape. As voters prepare to cast their ballots on Saturday, the shifting alliances and political maneuverings underscore the high stakes involved in the Osun State governorship election.