Two governorship candidates in Saturday's Osun State election have withdrawn from the race and thrown their support behind incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, a day before Nigerians head to the polls.
Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement announced his withdrawal at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, saying the decision followed "deep reflection and extensive consultation" with party leaders and stakeholders. "I hereby declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke," he said, framing the move as being about "the future of Osun" rather than personal ambition.
In a separate announcement, PDP candidate Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as "Fryo," also withdrew and endorsed Adeleke, urging PDP members and supporters to back the incumbent governor. The withdrawal clarifies an earlier point of confusion: a PDP faction had issued a statement claiming a court victory for Adebayo's candidacy just a day before he confirmed, in his own words, that he was standing down. Adeleke now faces APC's Bola Oyebamiji and ADC's Najeem Salaam as his main rivals heading into Saturday's vote.