The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in Osun State, Adebayo Adewale, has stepped down from Saturday’s governorship election and declared his support for the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.
Adewale disclosed his decision in a statement issued on Thursday, describing his endorsement of Adeleke as a “conscious choice to place Osun state’s interest above personal ambition”.
According to him, his withdrawal from the race would enable the governor to build on the achievements recorded by his administration and further advance the state’s development.
The APM candidate said his decision was informed by the belief that politics should be centred on serving the people, adding that supporting Adeleke would create an opportunity to promote peace, stability, development and the overall interest of Osun State.
“After a deep reflection and extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and stakeholders, I have decided to withdraw from the Osun state governorship race. This decision is not borne out of pressure or personal interest. Rather, it is a conscious choice to place the interest of Osun State above personal ambition.
“Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Ademola Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the progress his administration has recorded,” Mr Adewale said.
He subsequently called on his supporters, members of the APM and residents of Osun State to rally behind Adeleke’s bid for another term in office.
“Accordingly, I hereby declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and I call on all my supporters, members of the Allied Peoples Movement, and the good people of Osun state to join me in supporting his re-election.
“This decision is about the future of Osun state. 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,” Mr Adewale explained.
