Adelabu ends Oyo guber ambition after losing APC ticket, seeks reconciliation

Adelabu ends Oyo guber ambition after losing APC ticket, seeks reconciliation

Adebayo Adelabu, immediate past Minister of Power, has bowed out of the 2027 governorship race in Oyo state.

In a personally signed statement on Thursday, titled ‘APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice’, Adelabu said his decision to quit the race did not amount to conceding the alleged injustice that characterised the party’s governorship primary in the state.

Adelabu said the decision followed deep reflection and strategic reassessment of recent developments within the party and the journey ahead.

He said he took a short vacation outside the country after what he described as the intensity and challenges of the past several months, before returning to consult with party leaders and supporters.

Upon his return, Adelabu said he met on Wednesday with party leaders and some of his supporters across the state.

He said the meeting reviewed concerns raised by party members, aspirants and stakeholders, which he said also extended to the senatorial, house of representatives and state house of assembly nominations.

“We agreed that the absence of publicly declared and verifiable results has understandably generated serious concerns about the transparency, credibility and integrity of the nomination process,” Adelabu said.

“We also affirmed that substantial documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence exist which, in our considered view, raise serious questions about aspects of the process and the eventual outcomes.

“However, I informed the meeting that, after extensive consultations and careful consideration, I have decided, as a loyal and committed member of the All Progressives Congress, not to pursue an appeal within the party or institute legal proceedings over the process at this time.”

Adelabu said the decision is not because of a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction.

“Neither should it be interpreted as an act of surrender or an indication that my aspiration to serve as Governor of Oyo State is a do-or-die affair,” he said.

 

“Rather, I have chosen, in the interest of peace, party stability and the larger future of the APC in Oyo State, not to further escalate the matter through avenues that may deepen existing divisions and undermine the cohesion of our great party.”

‘WOUNDED, BETRAYED MEMBERS MUST BE ENGAGED’

He said Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC national chairman during his recent visit to the state “openly acknowledged that there were errors, unfairness and injustice associated with aspects of the primary election process”.

Adelabu, however, said the acknowledgement or apology should not substitute for correcting the grievances where there was still an opportunity to do so.

 

He urged the APC national leadership to initiate a comprehensive reconciliation process covering all categories of nominations and engage affected stakeholders.

“We therefore urge the National Leadership of the APC to urgently initiate a comprehensive, sincere and credible reconciliation process that covers all categories of nominations and genuinely engages all affected stakeholders,” he said.

“Members who feel wounded, betrayed or alienated must be deliberately engaged and reassured—not merely through appeals, but through concrete actions that demonstrate that their loyalty, sacrifices and contributions still matter.”

While reiterating that his ambition to govern Oyo state had never been a do-or-die project, Adelabu said he remained convinced that the timing of his ambition ultimately rested with God, adding that God’s time remains the best.

The minister reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, saying he had no plans to leave the party.

He, however, noted true loyalty demands the courage to speak honestly, constructively and responsibly when the need arises.

He appealed to his supporters, loyalists and party faithful across the state to maintain peace, restraint, maturity and civility following the outcome of the nomination process.

Adelabu resigned as minister of power on April 22 to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo state.

He contested the party’s guber ticket alongside 12 other aspirants, including Sharafadeen Alli, senator of Oyo south, who was eventually picked as the consensus governorship candidate for the party in the state.