A former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Tuesday formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, insisting that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must emerge through a transparent primary process rather than a consensus arrangement.
Adelabu made his position known during a meeting with members of the party’s State Executive Council at the APC secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, where he reaffirmed his loyalty to the party and expressed confidence in clinching its ticket and winning the forthcoming poll.
The declaration comes against the backdrop of recent moves by some party leaders to project Sharafadeen Alli as a preferred consensus candidate for the 2027 race.
But Adelabu’s camp has dismissed the development as lacking legitimacy, warning that such a move could deepen divisions within the party.
Speaking during the meeting, Adelabu said his visit was to formally notify party leadership of his ambition and to reiterate his commitment to due process.
He cautioned against what he described as attempts to sideline established procedures, stressing that no aspirant should be imposed on the party.
“Party structures must not be hijacked. I am prepared to follow due process. No individual can unilaterally declare himself a consensus candidate over others,” he said.
He added that any consensus arrangement that excludes party executives, aspirants, and key stakeholder blocs within the APC would be invalid.
According to him, “A consensus that does not carry along all critical stakeholders, including leaders and aspirants across the different tendencies in the party, cannot stand.
“I am determined to contest, secure the ticket, and by God’s grace, win the 2027 governorship election.”
Adelabu also pledged to run an inclusive administration focused on economic expansion and wealth creation if elected, assuring that no part of the state would be left behind.
The former minister recently resigned from the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, a move he said was necessary to enable him concentrate fully on his governorship ambition.
In his resignation letter, Adelabu expressed appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as an honour and noting his contributions to ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s power sector.
“I remain sincerely grateful for the confidence reposed in me. It has been a privilege to contribute to national development and to support reforms in a sector critical to Nigeria’s economic growth,” he stated.
Reacting, the Oyo APC Chairman, Moses Adeyemo, commended Adelabu’s consultative approach, describing him as a committed party man with the capacity to strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
Other members of the state executive present at the meeting included Deputy Chairman Taofek Lamidi, Secretary Fatai Adeshina, Women Leader Felicia Adekemi, Youth Leader Olalekan Glory, and Legal Adviser Sunday Aborisade.