The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the 2026 Osun State governorship election, Adebayo Simon Adewale, has withdrawn from the race and declared his support for incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.
Adewale announced his decision on Thursday, August 13, at a press conference, just two days before the August 15 governorship election, while directing his supporters and members of the APM across the state to support Adeleke at the polls.
According to the APM candidate, the decision followed what he described as deep reflection and extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
Adewale stressed that his withdrawal was not motivated by pressure or personal interest, but was a deliberate decision to place the interest of Osun State above his personal political ambition.
He said that after assessing the political situation in the state, he had come to the conclusion that Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate the progress recorded by his administration.
He subsequently declared his full support for Adelekeโs re-election and called on APM members, his supporters and residents of Osun State to join him in backing the incumbent governor.
Adewale said his decision was ultimately about the future of Osun, arguing that politics should be centred on service to the people and that his choice was aimed at advancing peace, stability, development and the collective interest of the state.
The development comes less than 48 hours before Osun voters head to the polls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in an election that has already witnessed several political realignments and last-minute endorsements.
Governor Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, remains one of the major contenders alongside the APC candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam.
Adewaleโs withdrawal and endorsement of Adeleke add another twist to the final hours of an increasingly competitive Osun governorship race.