By Feyisetan Hamzat
Benny News Hub
Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo A. Adelabu, has announced that he will not pursue an internal appeal or legal action over the party's 2027 nomination process, but stressed that his decision should not be mistaken for surrendering his position on what he described as injustice in the process.
Adelabu made this known in a statement issued after a meeting with party leaders, representatives of his loyalists and supporters drawn from the 33 Local Government Areas and 351 wards of Oyo State on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
The meeting followed his return from a short vacation outside the country, which he said gave him an opportunity to rest, reflect and strategically reassess the journey ahead.
‘We Are Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice’
Adelabu said that after extensive consultations and careful consideration, he had decided, as a loyal member of the APC, not to pursue an appeal within the party or institute legal proceedings over the nomination process at this time.
He, however, made it clear that the decision was not because of a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction.
Rather, he said he chose the path in the interest of peace, party stability and the larger future of the APC in Oyo State.
According to him, concerns remain over the failure to formally and transparently declare the actual results of the various primary elections, including the votes reportedly scored by aspirants at ward and Local Government levels.
He alleged that names of selected individuals were subsequently uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) electronic portal as the party's candidates for the 2027 elections without the transparent publication of the results upon which such nominations were supposedly based.
Adelabu said the concerns cut across the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly nomination processes.
He added that documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence were available which, in his view, raised serious questions about aspects of the process and its eventual outcomes.
Adelabu Wants Correction, Not Just Reconciliation
The former minister also referred to comments made by the APC National Chairman during his recent visit to Oyo State, saying the party chairman had acknowledged errors, unfairness and injustice associated with aspects of the primary election process.
Adelabu maintained that while acknowledgement or apology was important, it should not substitute for correcting the issues where an opportunity to do so still exists.
He argued that genuine reconciliation could only be achieved if the party addressed the issues that generated the grievances rather than simply persuading aggrieved members to accept the outcome and move on.
He also stressed that the grievances extended beyond individual aspirants.
According to him, thousands of party members across Oyo State had invested years, personal resources, time and political capital in building the APC, and many now felt that their votes and preferences had been disregarded.
He therefore urged the national leadership of the party to urgently initiate a comprehensive, sincere and credible reconciliation process that would engage all affected stakeholders.
‘Elections Are Not Won by Uploading Names’
Adelabu warned that the APC must not underestimate the implications of the situation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that electoral victory could not be secured merely by entering names on an electronic portal or announcing candidates.
According to him, elections are won through the trust, enthusiasm, commitment and active participation of party members and supporters, particularly at the grassroots.
‘My Governorship Aspiration Is Not Do-or-Die’
Adelabu reiterated that his aspiration to govern Oyo State had never been a do-or-die affair.
He said his ambition was driven by a genuine desire to contribute to the development, prosperity and progress of the state and its people.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said he remained grateful for the opportunity to have served at senior levels in both the private and public sectors.
He added that although recent developments might have delayed his aspiration, he remained convinced that what could be delayed by human actions could not be denied by Almighty God.
“God's time, indeed, remains the best.”
Adelabu Remains Firmly in APC
In one of the clearest parts of the statement, Adelabu declared that he is not leaving the APC.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the party and to the administration and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite his concerns over the nomination process.
He, however, stressed that loyalty did not require party members to pretend that everything was perfect when genuine concerns existed.
According to him, true loyalty requires the courage to speak honestly, constructively and responsibly when necessary.
Adelabu also appealed to his supporters and loyalists across Oyo State to remain peaceful, mature and civil, urging them not to allow disappointment over the primary to undermine the democratic values they had upheld.
Quoting a lesson from his late grandmother, he said:
“Revenge doesn't heal; it only creates another wound.”
He consequently condemned and disassociated himself from any form of anti-party activity by his supporters, loyalists, associates or political structures.
He said such actions were unacceptable and did not have his blessing.
‘Our Political Journey Continues’
Adelabu expressed profound appreciation to the thousands of supporters, party members, leaders and stakeholders who stood with him throughout the political journey.
He acknowledged their sacrifices, commitment and confidence in his aspiration, saying their support would remain one of the most treasured experiences of his political career.
While declaring the particular contest closed, Adelabu maintained that he would continue to advocate for fairness, transparency and democratic justice within the party.
“We may be closing this particular contest, but we are not conceding the injustice.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to Oyo State and the APC, expressing hope that the party would ultimately correct whatever needed to be corrected, rebuild trust among its members and achieve the unity required ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The contest may be over for Adelabu for now, but his political journey, he says, continues.
