Adelabu quits 2027 Oyo governorship race, rejects legal challenge

Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has withdrawn from the 2027 Oyo State governorship race, saying he will not challenge the outcome of the All Progressives Congress primary through an internal appeal or court action.

Adelabu, who announced his decision in a personally signed statement on Thursday, said his withdrawal should not be interpreted as an acceptance of what he described as injustice in the party’s nomination process.

He said the decision followed consultations with APC leaders and supporters after returning from a short vacation abroad.

According to him, a meeting with party leaders and supporters on Wednesday reviewed concerns surrounding the governorship primary as well as nominations for the Senate, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly.

Adelabu said the absence of publicly declared and verifiable results had raised concerns about the transparency and credibility of the nomination process.

“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.

He added that documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence were available which, in his view, raised questions about aspects of the process and its eventual outcomes.

Despite the concerns, Adelabu said he had decided not to pursue an appeal within the party or institute legal proceedings “at this time”.

He stressed that the decision was not due to a lack of evidence or conviction, but was motivated by his desire to protect the unity of the party.

“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.