Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has withdrawn from the 2027 Oyo State governorship race, saying he will not challenge the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary despite raising concerns over its credibility.
Adelabu announced his decision in a personally signed statement on Thursday, titled “APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice.” He said his withdrawal followed a period of reflection, consultations and a reassessment of developments within the party.
The former minister said he travelled briefly outside the country after months of political activity and returned to meet APC leaders and supporters. At a meeting on Wednesday, he said participants reviewed complaints surrounding the governorship primary as well as nominations for the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
Adelabu said the absence of publicly announced and verifiable results had raised questions about the transparency and integrity of the nomination process. He also claimed that documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence existed that, in his view, raised serious concerns about aspects of the exercise and its outcome.
Despite those concerns, Adelabu said he had decided against pursuing an internal party appeal or taking the matter to court. He stressed that the decision was not due to a lack of evidence or conviction, but was aimed at preventing further divisions within the APC in Oyo State.
He also called on the APC national leadership to begin a broad reconciliation process involving aspirants, party members and other stakeholders affected by the nomination exercises. Adelabu said members who felt “wounded, betrayed or alienated” should be engaged through concrete steps rather than appeals alone.
The former minister further said APC national chairman Nentawe Yilwatda had acknowledged during a recent visit to Oyo State that there were errors, unfairness and injustice in parts of the primary process. Adelabu argued, however, that acknowledging the problems should not replace efforts to address legitimate grievances where corrective action remains possible.
Adelabu, who resigned as power minister on April 22 to pursue his governorship ambition, said he remained committed to the APC and had no intention of leaving the party. He urged his supporters to remain peaceful and disciplined, while saying his ambition to govern Oyo State was never a “do-or-die affair” and that the timing of his political future ultimately rested with God.
He had contested the APC governorship ticket with 12 other aspirants, including Senator Sharafadeen Alli of Oyo South, who emerged as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
