APC’s Adelabu distances self from ex-aide’s defection to APM

By Gbenga Adejayan

Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has distanced himself from the defection of his former aide, Ajiboye Akande, from the APC to the Allied Peoples Movement.

In a statement issued by his media office in Ibadan on Tuesday, Adelabu said Akande was no longer his personal assistant and had no official, political or representational relationship with him.

He explained that their working relationship ended following differences in their political alignments, adding that Akande’s defection, political activities, statements and participation in the rally were personal decisions.

Adelabu stressed that his former aide no longer had the authority to speak for or represent him, while reaffirming his membership of the APC and his intention to remain in the party.

“I remain a member of the APC and have no intention of leaving the party,” Adelabu said, adding that his disagreement with aspects of the Oyo governorship nomination process was about transparency and legitimacy, rather than an excuse to leave the party.

The former minister also called for the results of the governorship primary to be properly released and supported by signed documents and other verifiable evidence, stressing that his ambition to govern Oyo State was not a do-or-die affair.

Adelabu further reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and said he had remained engaged in real estate, hospitality, farming and financial securities businesses since leaving public office, insisting that he had neither defected from the APC nor authorised anyone to defect on his behalf.

Akande announced his defection during the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Monday, where hundreds of APC supporters from the state’s 33 local government areas reportedly joined the APM.