Former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has decided not to challenge the All Progressives Congress governorship primary in court, but has asked the party’s national leadership to address disputed aspects of the exercise before the 2027 election.
Adelabu, an APC governorship aspirant in Oyo State, made the position known on Thursday in Ibadan, saying he took the decision after a meeting with party leaders and representatives of his loyalists and supporters from the state’s 33 Local Government Areas and 351 wards.
He said his decision was not caused by a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction. He also said he had chosen not to pursue an internal appeal or legal action in the interest of peace and party unity.
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The decision is significant because some APC governorship aspirants have been at odds with the state and national leadership over the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The aspirants had alleged that Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, was imposed on them.
Disputed results put APC under pressure
Adelabu said party members who had spent years, money, time, energy and political capital building the APC now feel that their sacrifices and votes were ignored.
He said some members believe candidates who did not represent the popular choice of party members emerged without a transparent declaration of the primary results.
His position was that the issue goes beyond the governorship ticket, as similar complaints affect senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly nominations.
Adelabu said names of selected candidates were later entered on the Independent National Electoral Commission electronic portal, even though the actual primary results had not been transparently published.
He said the situation had created questions over the transparency, credibility and integrity of the nomination process.
“There are substantial documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence exist which, in our considered view, raise serious questions about aspects of the process and the eventual outcomes,” Adelabu said.
He also said party members should not have their grievances dismissed as the work of individual aspirants.
“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.”
Adelabu said the APC national leadership had a responsibility to deal directly with the grievances instead of 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 the party should urgently begin a comprehensive reconciliation process covering all categories of nominations and involving affected stakeholders.
Adelabu keeps his ambition alive
Adelabu also sought to separate his decision to step away from legal action from his ambition to become Oyo governor.
“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 he had chosen not to escalate the dispute through channels that could create further divisions within the party.
“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.”
Adelabu said an apology from the party leadership was important, but should not replace corrective action where grievances could still be addressed.
“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.”
He also warned that simply submitting candidates through an electronic portal would not be enough to secure electoral victory.
“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.”
He said party members and supporters at the grassroots were essential to winning elections because of their trust, enthusiasm, commitment and participation.
For Adelabu, stepping away from a legal challenge does not end his ambition to govern Oyo State. He said his desire to serve was based on a wish to contribute to the development and prosperity of the state and its people.
“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 the outcome of the primary had delayed his ambition but had not ended his belief that he could still serve the state.
“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 affirmed.
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