Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has withdrawn from the 2027 governorship race in Oyo State after losing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket.
Adelabu announced his decision in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, titled, “APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice.”
The former minister stressed that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as an acceptance of what he described as injustice in the party’s governorship primary.
He said the decision followed deep reflection and a strategic reassessment of recent developments within the APC and the political journey ahead.
Adelabu disclosed that he took a short vacation outside the country following what he described as the intensity and challenges of the past several months. Upon his return, he said he met with party leaders and supporters across Oyo State to review concerns raised by members, aspirants and other stakeholders.
According to him, the concerns extended beyond the governorship primary to the party’s nominations for the Senate, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly.
Adelabu said the absence of publicly declared and verifiable results had generated serious concerns over the transparency, credibility and integrity of the nomination process.
He further claimed that documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence existed which, in his view, raised serious questions about aspects of the process and the eventual outcomes.
“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 said.
He added that the available materials and evidence had reinforced concerns surrounding the process, even as he formally ended his bid for the Oyo State governorship.
