Adelabu accepts Oyo APC primary outcome, pledges loyalty to party

By Adejayan Gbenga

Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, has said his ambition to govern the state is not a do-or-die affair, declaring that he will not challenge the party’s governorship primary in court.

Adelabu said this in a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, explaining that he took the decision in the interest of peace, party stability and the future of the APC in Oyo State. He said the decision followed consultations with party leaders, loyalists and supporters across the state’s 33 local government areas and 351 wards.

The APC in Oyo State has been embroiled in disagreements over the process that produced Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election, with some aspirants alleging irregularities and imposition. Adelabu, however, said that as a loyal and committed party member, he had decided not to pursue an internal appeal or institute legal proceedings over the primary at this time.

“This 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. According to him, the decision is intended to prevent further divisions within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adelabu also said the APC national chairman, during his recent visit to Oyo State, acknowledged “errors, unfairness and injustice” associated with aspects of the governorship primary. He, however, maintained that the acknowledgement should be followed by corrective measures where possible.

“We believe that an acknowledgement or apology, though important, cannot and should not substitute for the necessary correction where the opportunity to address the grievances still exists,” Adelabu said. He added that many APC members had invested years, personal resources, time and political capital in building the party but were now dissatisfied with the outcome of the nomination process.

He claimed that some members believed their votes and preferences were disregarded, while candidates were subsequently submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) without publicly declaring the results on which the nominations were based. He said similar concerns extended to the party’s senatorial, House of Representatives and 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,” he said. Adelabu further claimed that documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence were available to support concerns over aspects of the APC primary and its outcomes, whilst urging the APC national leadership to take responsibility for the reconciliation process and reconcile aspirants.