The political contest for the Osun State governorship has taken a dramatic turn after the governorship candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) withdrew from the race and endorsed incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adebayo Simon Adewale of the APM announced his withdrawal at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, saying he arrived at the decision after consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders. He said his assessment of the political situation convinced him that Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate his administration’s achievements.
Adewale subsequently asked APM members and his supporters to vote for Adeleke in Saturday’s election, describing the decision as one aimed at putting the interests of Osun above personal political ambition and promoting peace, stability and development in the state.
The PDP and its candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, announced their support for Adeleke following the Court of Appeal’s ruling that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Adebayo as the party’s flagbearer in the poll.
The developments came less than 48 hours before voters go to the polls, potentially reshaping the political calculations surrounding the election. Adeleke is seeking re-election on the Accord platform, while the APC candidate is Bola Oyebamiji and the ADC is represented by Najeem Salaam.
The endorsements also come against a backdrop of intense political realignments in Osun, with different groups and political actors taking positions ahead of the poll.
