Election Update

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as FRYO, has withdrawn from the race and endorsed the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.

Adebayo announced the decision on Wednesday at a press conference in Osogbo, three days before the governorship election.

He also directed PDP members, supporters and political structures associated with his leadership across the state to support Adeleke in Saturday’s poll.

The decision introduces a fresh political development into the final days of the Osun election, with Adebayo saying his withdrawal followed extensive consultations and an assessment of the political situation in the state.

Key Facts

• Adebayo has withdrawn as the PDP governorship candidate ahead of the August 15 election.
• He has endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke.
• He announced the decision on Wednesday in Osogbo.
• He said the decision followed consultations and consideration of what he described as the larger interest of Osun State.
• He called on PDP members, supporters and political structures linked to his leadership to support Adeleke.
• He said he takes full responsibility for the decision.
• He also appealed to political actors and residents to reject violence, intimidation, hate speech and political bitterness.

Adebayo acknowledged that some of his supporters could disagree with the decision but urged them to respect the democratic process.

Campaign Trail

Adebayo’s announcement came as the state entered the final phase of preparations for Saturday’s governorship election.

Rather than continuing his own bid for the governorship, the former PDP candidate used the press conference to declare support for Adeleke and call on members of his political structure to do the same.

He said his decision was not driven by personal political ambition, arguing that politics sometimes required leaders to make difficult choices based on the circumstances before them.

Adebayo also appealed to political leaders, candidates, party supporters and other residents to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.

He warned against violence, intimidation, hate speech and what he described as unnecessary political bitterness.

What He Said

Explaining the decision, Adebayo said he had spent considerable time consulting with people and listening to different perspectives before arriving at his position.

“This decision was not taken in haste. I have spent considerable time consulting with people, listening to different perspectives and carefully examining the political situation in our state.”

He said the decision was based on the wider interest of Osun State rather than his personal ambition.

Adebayo then formally declared his support for the incumbent governor.

“After extensive consultations and careful consideration, I have decided to endorse His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in the August 15 gubernatorial election in Osun State.”

He also made clear that the decision was his own and that he accepted responsibility for it.

“I want to make it very clear that this decision is mine, and I take full responsibility for it.”

On the reaction of his supporters, Adebayo said he understood that some might question the move or hold different views.

He urged them to respect those differences, saying democracy allows people to disagree without being condemned for their positions.

Timeline of Events

Adebayo’s decision came after what he described as extensive consultations and an assessment of the political situation in Osun State.

On Wednesday, he announced his withdrawal at a press conference in Osogbo.

He subsequently endorsed Adeleke for the August 15 governorship election and asked PDP members, supporters and political structures associated with his leadership to support the governor’s re-election bid.

The announcement came three days before the scheduled poll, placing the endorsement among the final political developments before voting.

Adebayo also used the occasion to appeal for a peaceful election, arguing that political differences should not permanently damage relationships within the state.

He said:

“Osun State is bigger than any individual. Osun State is bigger than any political party. And Osun State is certainly bigger than any election.”

He further reminded political actors that the election would end while residents would continue to live together after the poll.

“The election will come and go, but our state will remain. Our families will remain. Our communities will remain. We will continue to live together as brothers and sisters.”

Stakeholder Positions

Adebayo’s position is that his withdrawal was necessary after consultations and consideration of the broader interests of Osun State.

He has also asked people who support his leadership to back Adeleke, while acknowledging that some of them may disagree with his decision.

The former PDP candidate said he would not condemn supporters who hold a different opinion, stressing that democratic participation allows room for disagreement.

His appeal to PDP members and supporters was therefore presented as a political instruction from his leadership structure rather than as a claim that every party member would necessarily agree with him.

Adebayo also addressed political leaders and supporters across the state, urging them to avoid violence and other forms of electoral hostility.

The supplied material does not contain separate responses from Adeleke, the PDP leadership or other governorship candidates to Adebayo’s withdrawal and endorsement.

Editorial Analysis

The most immediate significance of Adebayo’s decision is its timing.

His withdrawal comes only three days before the Osun governorship election, meaning the endorsement of Adeleke arrives during the final stage of the electoral contest.

Adebayo has also gone beyond announcing his personal support by asking PDP members, supporters and political structures associated with his leadership to support the incumbent governor.

That gives the development a wider political dimension, although the supplied information does not establish how many supporters would follow the directive or what effect the endorsement would have on the final vote.

Adebayo’s explanation also frames the decision as one based on consultation and what he considers to be the larger interest of the state.

At the same time, his acknowledgement that some supporters may disagree indicates that the endorsement does not necessarily eliminate differing views among those who previously supported his candidacy.

The actual electoral impact of the decision will depend on events and voter choices at the August 15 poll.

Election Outlook

Attention now turns to the August 15 governorship election, with Adebayo no longer contesting the position and having publicly endorsed Adeleke.

The former PDP candidate has called on his supporters and political structures to support the incumbent governor, while also urging all political actors to maintain peace.

The withdrawal adds another development to the final phase of the Osun electoral contest, but it does not by itself determine the outcome of the election.

Voters will ultimately decide the result through the ballot.

For now, Adebayo’s withdrawal and endorsement of Adeleke remain among the notable political developments occurring immediately before the poll.

Final Editorial Wrap-Up

Adedamola Adebayo’s decision to withdraw from the Osun governorship race and endorse Ademola Adeleke has altered the political landscape just days before voters are scheduled to go to the polls.

The former PDP candidate has presented the move as the product of extensive consultations and a decision to place what he considers the larger interest of Osun State above personal political ambition.

His call for PDP members, supporters and political structures associated with his leadership to support Adeleke gives the announcement significance beyond his personal withdrawal.

However, the precise electoral effect of the endorsement cannot be established from the information available.

Adebayo has also used his decision to call for restraint, urging candidates, political parties, supporters and residents to reject violence, intimidation, hate speech and political bitterness.

With the election scheduled for August 15, attention will now shift to how political actors and voters respond to the latest development and, ultimately, to the result of the governorship poll.