Adelabu: My Governorship Goal is Not a Life-and-Death Matter

The former Minister of Power and governorship hopeful of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, said on Thursday that his goal to lead the state is not a do-or-die matter. He stated that he would not challenge the law regarding the APC governorship primary in the state.

Adelabu made this known in a statement from Ibadan, the state capital. He explained that his choice was not because he lacks evidence, confidence, or conviction. Instead, he made this decision to support the party's progress in Oyo ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the decision came after a meeting with some party leaders and supporters from all 33 Local Government Areas and 351 wards in the state.

The PUNCH reported that some Oyo APC governorship aspirants have been clashing with both state and national party executives over Senator Sharafadeen Alli being named the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.

They claimed that Alli, who is representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, was forced upon them.

Adelabu added in his statement that as a loyal member of the APC, he chose not to appeal within the party or take legal action regarding the process at this time.

He said, “This decision is not because of a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction. Neither should it be taken as surrender or a sign that my goal to be Governor of Oyo State is a do-or-die matter.

“Rather, I have chosen, in the interest of peace, party stability and the future of the APC in the state, not to escalate the matter in ways that could worsen existing divisions and harm our party's unity.

“More importantly, our respected National Chairman, during his recent visit to Oyo, openly acknowledged that there were errors, unfairness and injustice in parts of the primary election process.

“We believe that acknowledging or apologizing, though important, cannot replace the need for necessary corrections where there is still a chance to address grievances.”

He expressed worry that many loyal members have invested years, personal resources, time, energy and political capital in building the APC.

Many of these members now feel that their sacrifices and votes have been ignored. They believe that candidates who did not reflect the popular choices of party members have emerged without a clear announcement of the primary results.

“Their grievances are real and should not be dismissed as just the influence of any particular aspirant. Many party members truly believe that their votes and sacrifices were overlooked, and some might not accept appeals from the aspirants they supported.

“Instead, names of selected individuals were put on the INEC electronic portal as the party’s candidates for the 2027 elections.

“This situation has led to candidates being named without the transparent publication of the actual results that such nominations were based on.

“The concerns from this process span the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly nominations.

“We agreed that the lack of publicly declared and verifiable results has understandably raised serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of the nomination process.

“We also confirmed that there are substantial documents, authenticated records and video evidence that raise serious questions about the process and outcomes.

“The national leadership of our party must understand that the responsibility for reconciliation cannot just fall on aspirants. The APC needs to work hard to restore trust and unity in the party in the state.”

The former minister urged the national leadership of the APC to quickly start a sincere and credible reconciliation process for all nominations and engage all affected stakeholders.

“Members who feel hurt, betrayed or sidelined must be actively engaged and reassured, not just through appeals, but through real actions that show that their loyalty and sacrifices matter.

“The implications of the current situation must not be taken lightly. Winning elections cannot happen just by entering names on an electronic portal or announcing candidates.

“Elections are won through the trust, enthusiasm, commitment and active participation of party members and supporters, especially at the grassroots level.

“My goal to serve as Governor of Oyo State has never been, and will never be, a do-or-die project. I have served at the highest levels in both private and public sectors, and I am grateful for those opportunities.”

He emphasized that his goal to be the state governor comes from a genuine desire to help develop Oyo State and its people.

“However, as humans, we can plan, but God ultimately decides according to His timing. While recent events may have delayed this aspiration, I believe that what humans delay cannot be denied by God. God’s timing is always the best,” the former minister stressed.