Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has officially withdrawn from the 2027 governorship race, stepping back from a legal and internal party battle over the nomination process that he has described as tainted by "injustice."
Adelabu announced his decision on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in a personally signed statement titled "APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice". He said the decision followed deep reflection, a short vacation outside Nigeria, and subsequent consultations with party leaders and supporters across the state. However, he was emphatic that his withdrawal did not amount to conceding the alleged injustice that characterised the party's governorship primary.
"I have decided, as a loyal and committed member of the All Progressives Congress, not to pursue an appeal within the party or institute legal proceedings over the process at this time," Adelabu stated. He stressed that his decision was "not because of a lack of evidence, confidence or conviction" and should not be interpreted as "an act of surrender or an indication that my aspiration to serve as Governor of Oyo State is a do-or-die affair". Instead, he said he had chosen "in the interest of peace, party stability and the larger future of the APC in Oyo State, not to further escalate the matter through avenues that may deepen existing divisions".
Adelabu's withdrawal comes after he and 12 other aspirants contested the party's gubernatorial ticket, which was eventually won by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who was unveiled as the consensus candidate for the party. In his statement, Adelabu claimed that the actual results of the primaries, including votes allegedly scored by aspirants at ward and local government levels, were not formally and transparently declared before names were entered on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) electronic portal. He said substantial documentary materials, authenticated collation records, and video evidence existed which raised serious questions about the process and its outcome.
Despite stepping back, Adelabu used the opportunity to issue a direct challenge to the party's national leadership. He recalled that APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, during a recent visit to Oyo State, had openly acknowledged "errors, unfairness and injustice" associated with aspects of the primary election. However, Adelabu insisted that an acknowledgment or apology should not substitute for correcting the grievances where there was still an opportunity to do so. He urged the party leadership to "urgently initiate a comprehensive, sincere and credible reconciliation process that covers all categories of nominations and genuinely engages all affected stakeholders".
"Members who feel wounded, betrayed or alienated must be deliberately engaged and reassured—not merely through appeals, but through concrete actions that demonstrate that their loyalty, sacrifices and contributions still matter," Adelabu said. He also rejected the idea that reconciliation could be achieved simply by uploading candidates' names to INEC's portal, arguing that electoral victory depends on the trust and enthusiasm of party members at the grassroots.
In a final note, Adelabu reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, stating that he had no plans to leave the party. "I remain in the APC, and my loyalty to the party and to the administration and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering," he said. He also urged his supporters to remain peaceful and avoid any form of anti-party activity.
For now, Adelabu has closed the contest. But his parting words suggest he is not closing the book on what he sees as a profound injustice within the APC's nomination process.
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