The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the Osun State governorship election, Simon Adewale, has withdrawn from the race and endorsed the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, for a second term.
Mr Adewale announced his withdrawal during a press conference captured in a video clip posted by Nigeria Tribune, saying the decision followed consultations with party leaders, supporters and others.
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The APM candidate said his decision was not motivated by personal interest but by what he described as the need to put the interests of Osun State ahead of his ambition.
“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.
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Mr Adewale said he had assessed the political situation in the state and concluded that Governor Adeleke deserved another term to consolidate what he described as the progress recorded by his administration.
“I believe Governor Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the progress of his administration, as recorded,” he said.
He subsequently declared his support for the governor’s re-election and urged his supporters and members of the APM to back Mr Adeleke in 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 called on members of his party and other residents of Osun to support the governor, saying his decision was guided by what he believed would advance the state’s interests.
“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.
Explaining his decision further, Mr Adewale said politics should be centred on the interests of citizens rather than individual 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.
His withdrawal comes less than two days before the 15 August governorship election, leaving voters with one fewer candidate.
It highlights a growing trend of last-minute realignment unfolding just days before the election.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, also withdrew from the race and endorsed APC’s Mr Oyebamiji. Ajibola announced his decision days before the election, saying he had consulted with his supporters and party stakeholders before stepping down from the contest.
READ ALSO: OsunDecides: Accord dismisses Imumolen’s endorsement of APC candidate, reaffirms Adeleke
While the APGA candidate backed Oyebamiji, the latest withdrawal by APM’s Mr Adewale takes a different direction, as he declared support for the incumbent, Mr Adeleke, potentially reshaping the political calculations ahead of the election.
The governorship contest will feature Mr Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and candidates from 13 other political parties, including those whose candidates have announced their withdrawals in the last few days.
The withdrawals are not likely to affect the number of candidates on the ballot, which INEC already designed for the election.
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