Former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has formally withdrawn from the 2027 Oyo State governorship race, stating that his decision does not amount to conceding what he described as injustice in the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination process.
In a personally signed statement released on Thursday, August 27, 2026, titled “APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice,” Adelabu said the move followed deep reflection and a strategic reassessment of recent developments within the party.
Adelabu, who resigned as Minister of Power on April 22, 2026, to pursue his governorship ambition, explained that he took a short vacation outside the country after the intensity of recent months before returning to consult with party leaders and supporters. On Wednesday, he met with party leaders and representatives of his loyalists from the state’s 33 local government areas and 351 wards.
The meeting reviewed concerns raised by aspirants and stakeholders over the nomination process, which he said also affected senatorial, House of Representatives, and State 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,” Adelabu stated. He added that substantial documentary materials, authenticated collation records, and video evidence exist that raise serious questions about aspects of the process and the eventual outcomes.
Despite these concerns, Adelabu said that as a loyal and committed member of the APC, he had decided not to pursue an internal party appeal or institute legal proceedings 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. “Rather, I have chosen, in the interest of peace, party stability and the larger future of the APC in Oyo State, not to further escalate the matter through avenues that may deepen existing divisions and undermine the cohesion of our great party.”
Adelabu noted that APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda had, during a recent visit to the state, openly acknowledged errors, unfairness, and injustice associated with aspects of the primary election process. He insisted, however, that acknowledgement or apology should not substitute for corrective action where opportunity still exists.
He urged the APC national leadership to urgently initiate a comprehensive, sincere, and credible reconciliation process covering all categories of nominations and genuinely engaging affected stakeholders.
“Members who feel wounded, betrayed or alienated must be deliberately engaged and reassured—not merely through appeals, but through concrete actions that demonstrate that their loyalty, sacrifices and contributions still matter,” he said.
Adelabu reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the APC and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, stating that he has no plans to leave the party. He stressed that true loyalty includes the courage to speak honestly and constructively when necessary. He also appealed to his supporters to maintain peace, restraint, maturity, and civility, and declared that he does not support or condone any form of anti-party activity.
Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who represents Oyo South, emerged as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election after the contentious nomination process involving multiple aspirants, including Adelabu.
