By Adeola Badru

Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has withdrawn from the legal and internal battle over the 2027 governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, urging the party’s national leadership to address grievances arising from its recent nomination process.

Adelabu, in a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, said he decided to end his pursuit of the party’s governorship ticket after extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders across the state.

He, however, stressed that his decision should not be construed as an endorsement of the process or an acceptance of what he described as injustice associated with the primary election.

The statement, titled “APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice,” followed what Adelabu described as extensive reflection and consultations on the outcome of the party’s recent primaries.

He said he returned to Oyo State after a short vacation outside the country and subsequently met with party leaders and supporters to review developments surrounding the governorship primary and nominations for the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.

According to him, the stakeholders expressed concern over the absence of publicly declared and verifiable results from the nomination exercises.

“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.

He added that documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence available to the stakeholders raised questions about aspects of the process and its outcome.

“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,” he said.

Despite the concerns, Adelabu said he had decided against pursuing an internal appeal or instituting legal proceedings over the process at this time.

“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,” he said.

The former minister insisted that his decision was not due to a lack of evidence or conviction.

“This decision is not because of a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction,” he said.

He also rejected suggestions that his withdrawal amounted to surrender or that his ambition to govern the state was a do-or-die affair.

“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,” Adelabu said.

Instead, he said he had chosen to prioritise peace, party unity and the long-term interests of the APC in Oyo State over further escalation of the dispute.

“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,” he said.

Adelabu demands APC action

Adelabu, however, called on the national leadership of the APC to urgently address the grievances of members who felt aggrieved by the nomination process.

He recalled that the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, during his recent visit to Oyo State, acknowledged problems surrounding the primary election.

According to Adelabu, Yilwatda openly acknowledged “errors, unfairness and injustice” associated with aspects of the exercise.

He said such an acknowledgement or apology should not be the end of the matter where there were opportunities to address legitimate grievances.

Adelabu consequently called for a comprehensive reconciliation process covering all categories of nominations conducted by the party.

“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.

He also urged the party leadership to deliberately engage members who felt betrayed or alienated by the outcome.

“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,” Adelabu said.

The former minister reiterated that his aspiration to become governor had never been a do-or-die affair, saying he remained guided by his belief in divine timing.

He said withdrawing from the contest would not diminish his commitment to public service or the APC, adding that he had no intention of leaving the party.

Adelabu further said genuine loyalty to the APC required members to speak honestly and constructively when necessary.

He urged his supporters and other party members across Oyo State to accept the development with restraint and maturity, warning against actions that could further deepen divisions within the party.

The former minister’s withdrawal comes amid lingering disagreements over the APC’s nomination process in Oyo State, with the party now facing the task of managing the grievances of members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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