Adelabu still eyeing Oyo APC governorship ticket, aide says

By Adejayan Gbenga

An aide to the former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has dismissed reports alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) disqualified him from participating in Thursday’s governorship primary election in Oyo State.

The aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, described the reports as false, misleading and lacking any element of truth, insisting that Adelabu remains fully in the contest.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Awogboro said the report was designed to discourage supporters of the aspirant and mislead residents of the state ahead of the primary election.

He urged APC members, loyalists of Adelabu and the general public to disregard the claim, maintaining that no such decision had been taken by the party. According to him, the rumours were being spread by political opponents who allegedly see Adelabu as a formidable contender in the governorship race.

Awogboro stated that the reports were aimed at creating confusion within the APC ahead of the primary exercise. 

He argued that the party, both at the state and national levels, had no reason to disqualify Adelabu considering his experience and track record in public service and the private sector. The aide added that Adelabu’s pedigree and antecedents continue to stand him out among other aspirants contesting for the party’s ticket.

He stressed that the former minister remained prepared for the primary election and expressed confidence that delegates would make their decision based on competence, merit and capacity.

Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is among the leading aspirants seeking the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.