The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in the Osun State election, Simon Adewale, has stepped down from the contest and declared his support for Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adewale announced his withdrawal on Friday, less than 24 hours before voters are expected to head to the polls across the state.
The APM candidate said he reached the decision after holding consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
According to him, the choice was made after a careful assessment of the political situation in Osun State and what he considered to be the broader interest of the people.
“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 explained that his decision was not based on personal considerations.
He said political ambition should not be placed above the welfare and future of the people.
The former candidate also said he believed Adeleke should be allowed to continue in office for another term.
“I believe Governor Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the progress of his administration, as recorded,” Adewale said.
He subsequently asked his supporters to back the incumbent governor at Saturday’s election.
“I am able to declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke,” he said.
He also appealed to members of the APM and other residents of Osun State to support his new position.
“I call all my supporters, members of Allied Peoples Movement and the good people of Osun to join me in supporting the election,” he added.
Adewale said his decision was ultimately about the future of the state rather than his political ambition.
“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,” he said.
The APM had earlier built its campaign around Adewale Simon Adebayo, with the party also attracting political support from sections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The incumbent is contesting the election on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the PDP.
Adeleke is seeking a second term in office.
Adewale’s endorsement therefore gives the governor another political boost on the eve of the election.
It is also the second major last-minute withdrawal by a governorship candidate to reshape the contest.
The APGA governorship candidate, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, had earlier pulled out of the race and endorsed the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
In a related development, Politics Nigeria earlier reported on May, the Osun chapter of the party affirmed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The decision followed the party’s primary exercise across the 332 wards in Osun State.
APM’s Primary Election Committee chairman, Adewale Adebayo, said the process showed unity within the party and described Makinde as the party’s presidential choice.
“After the successful conduct of our primaries, we have today affirmed His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the sole presidential aspirant of our great party, as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement for the 2027 General Election,” Adebayo said.
The party also used the occasion to appeal to members of the PDP to join its political structure.
On June, former Osun governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola also announced his support for the APM governorship candidate, Adewale Adebayo, ahead of the August election.
Oyinlola 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 said.
He said the meeting with APM candidates was aimed at building a stronger political movement ahead of the 2026 governorship election and the 2027 general elections.
The APM governorship candidate, Adewale Adebayo, also described the Osun election as important to the party’s wider political plans.
“The Osun election is a litmus test for the 2027 election. This is why we must make a statement by winning this poll to signal victory for our presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde,” he said.