The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun state, Adebayo Adewale, has announced his withdrawal from Saturday’s governorship election and directed his supporters to support the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.

Mr Adewale, in a statement on Thursday, said his decision to support Mr Adeleke was a “conscious choice to place Osun state’s interest above personal ambition”.

He said his withdrawal would help the governor to consolidate on the progress his administration has achieved in the state.

Mr Adewale, who noted that politics should be about service to the people, said his withdrawal from the governorship race would provide Mr Adeleke an opportunity to advance peace, stability, development and the state’s collective interest.

“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 urged his supporters, APM members and Osun State residents to support the governor’s re-election aspiration.

“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.