In a dramatic twist just three days before the Osun State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Hon. Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as FRYO, has withdrawn from the contest and publicly endorsed incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adebayo announced at a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, where he also directed his supporters, party members, and political structures across the state to back Adeleke in Saturday’s election.
“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,” Adebayo said.
He stressed that the decision was entirely his own and that he had already informed PDP leaders and stakeholders of his position.
The move marks a significant realignment in the state’s political landscape.
Adeleke, who won the 2022 election on the PDP platform, left the party amid its prolonged national leadership crisis and is now seeking re-election under the Accord Party. Adebayo had emerged as the PDP’s candidate after the governor’s exit.
Political observers say the endorsement could reshape voter calculations in a closely watched race that also features the All Progressives Congress candidate and other contenders.
With the election only days away, Adebayo’s call for his network of supporters to mobilise behind Adeleke is expected to influence grassroots mobilisation in several local government areas.
The development adds to a series of last-minute shifts and endorsements that have defined the final stretch of the campaign.
As voters prepare to go to the polls on Saturday, the question now is how far this late endorsement will tilt the balance in Osun’s tightly contested governorship battle.