Former Minister of Power and 2027 Oyo State governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Adelabu, has announced his decision to withdraw from further challenges to the party’s controversial nomination process, insisting that his decision should not be mistaken for acceptance of the alleged injustice.
Adelabu, who made his position known after a meeting with party leaders, loyalists and supporters from across Oyo State on Wednesday, said he would neither pursue an internal appeal nor institute legal proceedings over the outcome of the primaries at this time.
He, however, maintained that the issues surrounding the exercise remained unresolved, particularly the failure to publicly declare and transparently verify the actual results recorded at ward and local government levels before candidates were subsequently uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.
According to him, the concerns cut across the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly primaries, with documentary records, collation materials and video evidence allegedly available to support complaints raised by affected aspirants and party members.
Adelabu said his decision to step back was driven by a desire to protect the unity and stability of the APC in Oyo State rather than a lack of evidence or conviction.
“I have decided, as a loyal and committed member of the All Progressives Congress, not to pursue an appeal within the party or institute legal proceedings over the process at this time,” he said.
He stressed that the decision was not an admission of defeat, declaring that his aspiration to govern Oyo State had never been a do-or-die affair.
Adelabu also challenged the APC leadership to go beyond reconciliation meetings and address the issues that triggered the grievances, arguing that genuine reconciliation would remain difficult without concrete steps to restore confidence in the nomination process.
His position comes after APC National Chairman, during a recent visit to Oyo State, reportedly acknowledged errors, unfairness and injustice in aspects of the primary process.
While welcoming the acknowledgement, Adelabu said an apology alone could not replace corrective action where genuine grievances still existed.
He warned that the party could not afford to underestimate the anger of grassroots members who, according to him, had invested years, resources and political commitment in building the APC but now felt that their votes and preferences had been disregarded.
“Elections are won through the trust, enthusiasm, commitment and active participation of party members and supporters, particularly at the grassroots,” he noted.
Adelabu urged the national leadership to undertake a comprehensive and credible reconciliation process involving all affected stakeholders, stressing that members who feel betrayed must be engaged through actions capable of rebuilding trust.
Despite his grievances, the former minister made it clear that he would remain in the APC and continue to support the administration and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also warned his supporters against anti-party activities, saying he neither supports nor condones any action capable of undermining the party.
Appealing for restraint among his supporters, Adelabu said disappointment over the primary should not become a justification for actions capable of damaging the political family they had spent years building.
Quoting a lesson from his late grandmother, he said: “Revenge doesn’t heal; it only creates another wound.”
Adelabu expressed optimism that the APC would ultimately take steps to correct the contentious aspects of the nomination process and rebuild the unity required to prosecute the 2027 elections effectively.
He concluded that while he was closing the particular governorship contest, he was not abandoning his demand for fairness, transparency and democratic justice.
“We may be closing this particular contest, but we are not conceding the injustice,” Adelabu declared, signalling an end to his immediate battle over the nomination while keeping the broader questions surrounding the process firmly before the APC leadership.
He reaffirmed his commitment to Oyo State, the APC and his political journey, saying his faith remained that what had been delayed by human actions could still be realised at the appropriate time.
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