Oyo APC: Elect Adelabu at your own peril, by Kola Amzat

There is no doubt that members of APC family have suffered enough since 2019 when the party’s rein in the state was brought to a halt by the PDP regime, consequent upon the internal wrangling and irreconcilable differences amongst the leadership hierarchy of the party.

Since the party lost power and authority, thousands of the party faithful and the leadership hierarchy have been like political orphans, moving helter skelter like sheep without shepherd.

Thankfully, Nigerian democracy is rooted in periodic elections, with another election cycle almost at our door steps.

So, technically, the long-suffering APC members have another golden opportunity to redress ugly and frustrating incident of losing power that ordinarily belonged to them, by reclaiming the governorship seat during the forthcoming general elections.

This process of RESTITUTION starts on Saturday, 23 May, 2026 with the governorship primary in the state.

There is no other association or group of people that could make this day specially possible, glorious and eventful other than APC faithful in all the wards across the state.

It’s already in the public domain that leadership of the party in the state in their wisdom and most importantly, in deference to the president’s wish, had earlier identified and consequently adopted Senator Sarafadeen Alli as the consensus candidate.

But, one or two aspirants, notably the immediate power minister have decided that they’ve grouse with the wise decision of the leadership hierarchy with respect to the consensus arrangement and have therefore resolved to test their popularity during the gubernatorial primaries.

With all intents and purposes, it’s their rights as aspirants to ask for the mandate of party members during the primary. Of course, democracy allows it.

But, the consequences of doing that is to rock the boat and therefore throw the party into confusion, especially during the general elections.

In the case of Bayo Adelabu who is indeed the focus of this write-up, the party presented him during the 2019 gubernatorial elections.

In-fact, the party ticket was presented to him on the platter of gold, as all other aspirants were mandated to withdraw for him during that inglorious party primaries at Adamasingba Stadium, preparatory to the 2019 gubernatorial elections.

This writer was sufficiently involved during the event as a key member of Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN)’s group, one of the then FRONTLINE gubernatorial aspirants.

Meanwhile, what did the party get from the magnanimity and benevolence of Adelabu? Crushing defeat at polls!

Indeed, the party could only muster victory in five (5) LGCs out of thirty three (33) LGCs, with complete humiliation in other twenty eight (28) LCGs spread across other four (4) zones of the state-Oyo, Ibadan, Ibadan, Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun.

The immediate power minister’s victory was ONLY in Ogbomoso zone and this mainly on account of very dominant presence and support of deceased former governor of the state-Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.     

As if this is not enough, he threw his art in the ring again in 2023 for the same purpose; that time under the Accord Party. Still, it was a monumental defeat for him!

As we move closer to 2027 general elections, the sole objective of APC is to win, win and win. The party must avoid all challenges and hindrances that would court defeat, and this must be done without compromise.

For APC, 2027 gubernatorial elections is not for candidates whose past political past has been characterized by electoral failures and setbacks. The forthcoming election is also not a question of trial by error.

The upcoming election is for the trusted and tested candidate that has capacity to deliver and indeed, has delivered in the past.

It’s instructive to note that the president was reluctant to grant an express mandate to Adelabu to resign as power minister to contest for the state gubernatorial seat, before he did.

The president having acknowledged his electoral handicap in 2019 and 2023 when he contested knew it would be a big gamble to present him as the party’s candidate, more-so, when C-in-C appreciates that the party must as a matter of necessity presents a formidable candidate, sufficiently worthy and back to the tilt, by the state party leadership and thousands of the party faithful across the state to reclaim the state from the gregarious and belligerent incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde.

Secondly, it would also be practically difficult to market and project the candidacy of Adelabu to the electorates in Oyo state on account of very abysmal performance in the power ministry, when he was at the helm of affairs.

Of course, Nigerians in all spheres-Corporations, SMEs, Government establishments, Households felt the pains and agonies that the power ministry inflicted on the nation under his watch.

While in charge, the national grid was collapsing every week. Indeed, he couldn’t really strengthen about 3,500-4,000 mgwwts that he inherited throughout his tenure as power minister.

Under his watch, the ministry became the cesspit of corruption, leaving the hapless and long-suffering consumers at the mercy of ruthless and merciless DISCOs & GENCOs that terrorize and humiliate them at will.

While in control, he got overwhelmingly consumed in wrestling power and authority as governor in Oyo state instead of concentrating and focusing on how to turn the fortunes of the all-important ministry around.

Thirdly, the blueprint he reeled out to the attendees during his declaration for gubernatorial primary was ‘copy and paste oriented’, deceptive, deceitful, as it’s not rooted in pragmatism.  

If truly he has Midas touch to turn things around in the state, why shouldn’t he start at the national level where President Tinubu provided him life-time opportunity and, also with available humongous resources to shine, blossom and flourish through the platform of power ministry.

Had he performed, his job at convincing electorates in Oyo state would have been much easier. Indeed, he would have been handed the party ticket effortlessly.

Lastly, Adelabu doesn’t appear as someone with temperament and tact to hold the party together, as well as emotional intelligence to drive the affairs of the state. We shouldn’t forget that Oyo state is a haven of highly and sophisticated politically savvy individuals, and this is across the state.  

Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. If Adelabu didn’t have the thought and mentality of accommodating several Oyo state needy and hapless indigenes while holding sway at power ministry, and several public offices he had occupied in the recent past, it’s doubtful if Leopards could change its spot when power is thrusted into him as Oyo state governor.    

He just desires power and authority ostensibly because few of his friends are senators and governors. The calling is different. The destiny is not the same.

Power is meant to serve people and not to create hegemony and strengthen political dynasties.

This is therefore a clarion call to APC faithful and leadership hierarchy of the party to stop Bayo Adelabu in his quest to become governor of the state.  

He is obviously not the right candidate for that sensitive and important office. Let’s all stick to Senator Sarafadeen Alli that C-in-C prefers and has recommended to the leadership hierarchy as consensus candidate.

A word is enough for the wise.  The future of the party is in all our hands.                            .    .

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB),

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.