Two candidates contesting the 2026 Osun State governorship election have withdrawn from the race and declared their support for the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, ahead of Saturday’s election.

The candidates are Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Adedamola Adebayo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Adewale announced his withdrawal on Thursday during a press conference, attributing the decision to consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.

He said he arrived at the decision after carefully considering the political situation in the state, adding that his action was motivated by his desire to prioritise the interests of Osun State over his personal ambition.

According to him, Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the achievements recorded by his administration.

Adewale consequently called on his supporters and members of the APM to support Adeleke’s re-election, saying he believed the governor’s return would contribute to peace, stability and development in the state.

Similarly, the PDP governorship candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, announced his withdrawal and endorsement of Adeleke at a press briefing in Osogbo.

Adebayo urged PDP members, supporters and the party’s structures across the state to support Adeleke in the August 15 election and work towards his emergence as governor until 2030.

The withdrawals occurred less than 24 hours before the governorship poll, further reshaping the political contest in the state.

Adeleke is contesting the election on the platform of the Accord Party, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding Bola Oyebamiji and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is represented by Najeem Salaam.