Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, has said his ambition to become governor in 2027 is not a do-or-die affair, announcing that he will not challenge the APC governorship primary in court.
Adelabu made the disclosure in a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, explaining that his decision was driven by the need to protect the party’s unity and prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that his decision was not prompted by a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction. Rather, he said it followed consultations with party leaders as well as representatives of his loyalists and supporters across the 33 local government areas and 351 wards in Oyo State.
The development comes amid tensions within the Oyo APC over the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election. Some aspirants have accused the state and national leadership of imposing Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, on the party.
Adelabu said that, as a committed APC member, he had chosen not to pursue an internal appeal or commence legal proceedings over the primary at this stage.
“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.
“Rather, I have chosen, in the interest of peace, party stability and the larger future of the APC in the state, not to further escalate the matter through avenues that may deepen existing divisions and undermine the cohesion of our great party,” he said.
According to the former minister, the APC’s National Chairman acknowledged during his recent visit to Oyo State that there were errors, unfairness and injustice associated with parts of the primary process.
“More importantly, our respected National Chairman, during his recent visit to Oyo, openly acknowledged that there were errors, unfairness and injustice associated with aspects of the primary election process.
“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.
The former minister expressed concern over the frustration among party members who, he said, had devoted years, resources, time and political capital to building the APC.
He said many of them now believe their sacrifices and preferences were ignored, particularly following the emergence of candidates without what he described as a transparent declaration of primary results.
“Their grievances are genuine and must not be dismissed as merely the product of the influence or persuasion of any particular aspirant. Indeed, many party members are deeply convinced that their own votes, sacrifices and preferences were disregarded, and some may not readily accept appeals from the aspirants they supported,” he said.
Adelabu further alleged that names of selected candidates were subsequently uploaded to the INEC electronic portal without the actual primary results being publicly declared.
According to him, concerns over transparency extend beyond the governorship contest to 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,” he said.
He added that documentary evidence, authenticated collation records and video footage were available which, in his view, raised questions about aspects of the primary and its outcomes.
Adelabu therefore called on the APC national leadership to take responsibility for resolving the crisis rather than leaving reconciliation solely to the aspirants.
“The national leadership of our party must therefore appreciate that the responsibility for reconciliation cannot simply be transferred to aspirants. The APC has important work to do to restore confidence, rebuild trust and return cohesion and unity to the party in the state,” he said.
He urged the party leadership to immediately commence a comprehensive reconciliation process involving all categories of nominations and all 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 warned that simply submitting candidates’ names to an electronic platform would not guarantee electoral success.
“The implications of the present situation must not be underestimated. Electoral victory cannot be secured merely by entering names on an electronic portal or announcing candidates.
“Elections are won through the trust, enthusiasm, commitment and active participation of party members and supporters, particularly at the grassroots,” he said.
Despite stepping back from a legal challenge, Adelabu maintained that his desire to govern Oyo State remains genuine.
“My aspiration to serve as Governor of Oyo State has never been, and will never be, a do-or-die project. By the grace of Almighty God, I have been privileged to serve at the highest levels of both the private and public sectors, and for these opportunities, I remain profoundly grateful,” he said.
He explained that his ambition was motivated by a desire to contribute directly to the development and prosperity of Oyo State and its people.
“However, as human beings, we may propose, but Almighty God ultimately disposes according to His divine will and perfect timing. While recent developments may have delayed the realisation of this aspiration, I remain firmly convinced that what may be delayed by human actions cannot be denied by Almighty God. God’s time, indeed, remains the best,” Adelabu added.