Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has withdrawn from the legal and internal battle over the 2027 governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
Adelabu, in a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, said he decided to end his pursuit of the party’s governorship ticket following extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders across the state.
He, however, stressed that his decision should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the nomination process or an acceptance of what he described as injustice associated with the exercise.
In the statement titled, “APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice,” Adelabu said he returned to the state after a short vacation abroad and met with party leaders and supporters to review the outcome of the governorship primary and other legislative nominations.
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,” he said.
Adelabu 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, the former minister said he had decided not to pursue an internal appeal within the APC or institute 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,” Adelabu said.
He insisted that his decision was not motivated by a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction.
“This decision is not because of a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction,” he said.
Adelabu also rejected any suggestion that his withdrawal amounted to surrender or that his ambition to govern Oyo 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,” he said.
He said he had instead chosen to prioritise peace, party stability 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,” Adelabu said.
He urged the national leadership of the APC to address the grievances arising from the nomination process and take steps to protect the credibility and unity of the party in Oyo State.