Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has withdrawn from further challenging the outcome of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship nomination process in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 election.
However, Adelabu said his decision should not be interpreted as an acceptance of what he described as an unjust, opaque and flawed nomination exercise.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, made his position known in a statement titled, “APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice.”
Adelabu, who contested the APC governorship ticket alongside other aspirants, said he reached the decision after consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and supporters, as well as a period of personal reflection outside the country.
According to him, the consultations revealed concerns about the credibility of the nomination process across various elective positions, including the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly contests.
He alleged that the failure to publicly declare and verify the results of the exercise raised questions about the transparency and integrity of the process.
Adelabu further claimed that documentary evidence, authenticated collation records and video materials were available and, in his assessment, raised concerns about certain aspects of the primary and its eventual outcome.
Despite this, the former minister said he had decided against pursuing an internal appeal or seeking legal redress, citing the need to protect the unity and stability of the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I have 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 said.
He, however, emphasised that withdrawing from further action did not amount to conceding that the process was fair.
The former minister also called on the APC leadership to deliberately engage party members who feel “wounded, betrayed or alienated” as a result of the nomination exercise.
Adelabu said reconciliation would be crucial to preventing the grievances from undermining the party’s chances in the 2027 general election.
He also referenced comments reportedly made by APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, during his recent visit to Oyo State, where the party leader was said to have acknowledged errors, unfairness and injustice in parts of the nomination process.
Adelabu maintained that an apology alone would not be sufficient, stressing the need for a comprehensive reconciliation process to address the grievances of affected aspirants and stakeholders.
The former minister also reaffirmed his membership of the APC, making it clear that he has no immediate plans to leave the party.
His decision therefore marks a withdrawal from the legal and internal battle over the nomination outcome, rather than an endorsement of the process.
Senator Sharafadeen Alli has emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate in Oyo State for the 2027 election.
With the primary contest now concluded, the party faces the challenge of rebuilding trust among its various camps and ensuring that aggrieved aspirants and their supporters remain within its fold.
Adelabu’s decision may ease tensions in the short term, but his continued call for reconciliation suggests that questions surrounding the nomination process remain unresolved.
For now, the former minister has chosen party unity over litigation, while maintaining that ending the contest does not amount to accepting what he considers an injustice.