Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress governorship contest in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 election.
Adelabu announced his decision in a personally signed statement on Thursday after consultations with APC leaders, supporters and other stakeholders across the state.
He said the withdrawal was not an endorsement of the outcome of the party’s governorship primary, expressing concerns over the transparency and credibility of the nomination process.
According to him, stakeholders were particularly concerned that the results of the governorship primary and other nomination exercises had not been publicly declared and verified.
Adelabu said documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence available to stakeholders had also raised questions about aspects of the process and its outcome.
Despite the concerns, the former minister said he had decided not to appeal the process within the APC or institute legal proceedings at this time.
He explained that the decision was aimed at preventing further escalation of the dispute and protecting the unity of the APC in Oyo State.
Adelabu urged the APC national leadership to urgently begin a comprehensive reconciliation process involving members affected by the nomination exercises and address their grievances ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that his withdrawal did not amount to surrender or mean that his ambition to govern Oyo State was a do-or-die affair.
The former minister also said his decision would not affect his commitment to public service or his membership of the APC, adding that he had no plan to leave the party.
He appealed to his supporters and other party members to remain calm and avoid actions capable of deepening divisions within the party.
His withdrawal comes amid disagreements over the APC’s recent nomination process in Oyo State, placing pressure on the party’s leadership to address the grievances raised by dissatisfied members.
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