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The governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in the Osun State governorship election, Hon. Adebayo Simon Adewale, has withdrawn from the race and declared his support for the incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.

Adewale announced his decision at a press conference on Thursday, August 13, saying he had reached the decision after deep reflection and extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.

He described his withdrawal as a “conscious choice to place the interest of Osun State above personal ambition,” urging members of the APM and his supporters across the state to vote for Adeleke in Saturday’s election.

According to him, the decision was motivated by his conviction that Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the achievements of his administration.

“Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Ademola Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the progress his administration has recorded,” Adewale said.

He added that his decision was not influenced by pressure or personal interest, but was based on what he described as the collective interest of Osun State.

Adewale said politics should ultimately be about serving the people, stressing that his decision was aimed at promoting peace, stability, development and the overall wellbeing of the state.

“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 People’s Movement, and the good people of Osun State to join me in supporting his re-election,” he said.

The APM candidate also directed members of his party and his supporters to back Adeleke at the polls scheduled for Saturday.

He concluded by calling for unity and a focus on the future of Osun State, saying his decision was taken in the belief that it would best serve the people.

“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 added.

The development comes less than 48 hours before Osun State voters are expected to elect their next governor.

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Former Oyo State Commissioner for Education and immediate past Federal Character Commissioner representing Oyo State, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, has expressed deep sadness over the death of the Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Rafiu Oyesola Salawu.

Olowofela, who is also a former Chairman of Ido Local Government, described the late Salawu as a seasoned professor and his junior at the United Christian Secondary School (UCSS), Omi-Adio, Ibadan.

In a condolence message, Olowofela commiserated with the deceased’s family, the UCSS Omi-Adio community, OAU, Ile-Ife, and other associates of the late scholar.

“The tragic loss of my junior at UCSS and a seasoned Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University has just been brought to my attention. I commiserate with the family, UCSS Omi-Adio, O.A.U, Ile-Ife and in particular Dr. Zach Adedeji, Chairman Federal Revenue Service who enjoyed tutelage under Professor Salawu. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Professor Salawu’s death has thrown the Obafemi Awolowo University community into mourning. He passed away on Sunday, although the cause of his death has not been officially disclosed.

Earlier, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, confirmed the death, saying the institution’s management received the news with profound shock and a deep sense of loss.

According to the university, Salawu made significant contributions to the Faculty of Administration despite serving as Dean for barely a year.

Under his leadership, virtually every office in the faculty was equipped with air-conditioning systems, CCTV security systems and solar-powered energy solutions, aimed at creating a modern, secure and technology-driven academic environment.

Beyond infrastructure, Salawu was remembered as a passionate advocate for students and a bridge-builder who prioritised staff welfare, student advancement and strong alumni relations.

Olanrewaju said the late professor’s approachable and resourceful leadership reflected his determination to leave the faculty significantly better than he found it.

The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, management, staff and students, expressed condolences to the bereaved family and the university community.

Bamire described Salawu as a dedicated academic, accomplished administrator and servant-leader whose brief tenure had already established an enduring legacy of institutional transformation.

The university management prayed that Almighty God would grant the deceased’s family, colleagues, students and the entire OAU community the fortitude to bear the loss.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has alleged the killing of Dele Ayegbo, nephew of its governorship campaign Director-General, Wole Oke, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area.

Ayegbo was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday night, two days before the state’s governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

According to the APC, Ayegbo was attacked at a road junction close to his residence in the Idofin area of Esa-Oke by suspected political thugs.

In a statement, the party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, alleged that the attackers were supporters of the Accord Party, who were reportedly travelling in a vehicle when they opened fire on Ayegbo.

The APC also alleged that another party member was shot during the incident and taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment, while Ayegbo reportedly died at the scene.

The party condemned the incident, describing it as another disturbing development amid heightened political tension ahead of the election.

“The killing of the nephew of our campaign Director-General in Esa-Oke is one death too many which must be urgently unravelled by the police in the interest of fairness and justice,” Olabisi said.

The APC further alleged that more than 30 of its members had been killed by political thugs across Osun State since 2022, claiming that 17 of the reported deaths occurred in Ijesaland.

Olabisi urged the police to intensify security measures across the state and investigate Ayegbo’s death, warning that continued violence could intimidate voters and party supporters ahead of Saturday’s poll.

“The purpose is to scare away our members and supporters from exercising their civic responsibility on Saturday,” he alleged.

The allegation had not been independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Osun State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, had yet to respond to inquiries.

The reported killing comes amid heightened political tension in Osun, where the APC and the Accord Party have traded accusations in the final days of the governorship campaign.