Former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has withdrawn from the contest for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 election.
Adelabu announced the decision in a personally signed statement titled “APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice.”
He said his decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders after what he described as a period of intense political activity surrounding the party’s governorship nomination process.
Adelabu, however, made clear that withdrawing from the contest should not be interpreted as accepting the outcome of the process or conceding what he considers to be injustices surrounding the primary.
Reports indicate that the former minister had challenged aspects of the APC’s nomination process in Oyo, but has now opted to step away from the legal and internal battle while calling for reconciliation within the party.
The development could ease some of the tensions within the Oyo APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election, although Adelabu’s comments suggest that disagreements over the party’s nomination process remain unresolved.
His withdrawal also removes one of the prominent names from the immediate APC governorship contest as the party begins preparations for the wider 2027 election campaign.
Adelabu previously served as Minister of Power and has been a major political figure within the Oyo APC, having contested the governorship of the state in the past.
The former minister’s call for reconciliation now places renewed emphasis on efforts to unite the party’s various factions ahead of the election.