Adewale announced his decision at a press conference on Thursday in a video shared by the Special Assistant to the governor on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, directing members of the APM and his supporters across the state to vote for Adeleke in Saturday’s election.
He said the decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultation” with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
“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, I have decided to withdraw from the Osun State governorship election,” he said.
Adewale said his withdrawal was not motivated by pressure or personal interest, but by what he described as the need to place the interest of Osun State above personal ambition.
“This decision is not born out of pressure or personal interest; rather, it is a conscious choice to place the interest of Osun above personal ambition,” he said.
He added that after assessing the political situation in the state, he believed Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate what he described as the achievements of his administration.
“Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Adeleke Ademola deserves another term to consolidate the progress of his administration as recorded,” Adewale said.
The APM candidate subsequently declared his support for Adeleke’s re-election and called on his supporters and members of the party to back the incumbent.
“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,” he said.
Adewale said his decision was based on his belief that Adeleke’s re-election would promote peace, stability and development in the state.
“This decision is about the future of Osun. 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,” he said.
The development comes two days before the Osun governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress among the major contenders.