There appears to be political apprehension in the camp of the main opposition party in Oyo state as the Minister of Power and 2027 governorship hopeful under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has charged party leaders to close ranks ahead of its forthcoming party Congress.
This was as he equally charged stakeholders to resist every attempt by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government to install a successor in the state.
Adelabu, who spoke during a consultative visit to APC leaders in Ibadan Inner City last Saturday, covering Ibadan North, Ibadan South-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan North-East, and Ibadan North-West local governments, said Oyo’s future must not be left in the hands of what he described as “a government of comfort and convenience rather than purpose and performance.”
He urged stakeholders to embrace reconciliation and unity ahead of the forthcoming congresses and primary elections, saying only a truly united APC could dislodge the current administration in 2027.
“I’m appealing to all leaders and stakeholders of Oyo APC to make peace and work towards genuine reconciliation before our congress and primaries.
“We must unite, avoid multiple delegate lists, and discourage the internal divisions that have weakened us in the past,” Adelabu said.
The Minister warned against the culture of imposition in the party, insisting that it has long been the undoing of the APC in the state. According to him, internal democracy and fair competition remain the only sustainable paths to victory.
He went further to challenge the ruling PDP government led by Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing it of lacking visionary and transformational leadership despite the state’s robust federal allocation.
“Oyo deserves better than a government running on cruise control,” Adelabu said. “We must not allow a government that has brought little or no meaningful development to impose a successor.
“The people of Oyo are wiser now, and they are yearning for a change rooted in competence, not propaganda.”
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called “bold but necessary economic reforms,” Adelabu noted that the policies are gradually stabilizing the economy, with a slow but steady reduction in the prices of essential commodities.
“Though things may appear tough now, the reforms are taking shape,” he said. “We’re beginning to see a direction of recovery that will, in due time, bring lasting progress to Nigerians.”