The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as FRYO, has pulled out from the race and endorsed the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adebayo
He announced his withdrawal on Wednesday during a press conference in Osogbo, just three days before the election. 
The PDP’s candidate withdrawal comes three days before the poll and is expected to affect the political calculations ahead of the election.
According to Adebayo, the decision followed extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the political situation in Osun.
He said his withdrawal was motivated by what he described as the broader interest of the state rather than personal political ambition.
Adebayo stressed that political leadership sometimes required taking difficult decisions, even when such decisions might not be popular among supporters.
He said: “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.
The former PDP candidate said he was solely responsible for the decision and had communicated his position to party leaders, members and stakeholders.
He subsequently urged PDP members and his supporters to support Adeleke’s re-election bid.
Adebayo acknowledged that some of his supporters might disagree with his position but appealed to them to respect differing opinions, describing such disagreements as part of the democratic process.
He also called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation, hate speech and other forms of electoral hostility before, during and after the election.
