PDP and APM Candidates Withdraw to Endorse Ademola Adeleke

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) withdrew their candidates from the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, to endorse incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.

Adedamola Adebayo of the PDP and Adebayo Simon Adewale of the APM announced their withdrawals during press conferences in Osogbo. Adewale stated his decision was based on the broader interest of the state and the need to consolidate the progress made by Adeleke.

The PDP's decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja that upheld the nomination of Adedamola Adebayo and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include the party logo on the ballot. Despite this legal victory, the PDP's Interim National Working Committee argued the judgment arrived too late for an effective campaign.

Party leadership accused INEC of partisan bias and deliberately frustrating the nomination process by withholding portal access codes. The PDP faction, led by Tanimu Turaki, resolved to support Adeleke, a former party member, to defend multi-party democracy and oppose the All Progressives Congress.