Wounded, Betrayed’ – Adelabu Finally Drops 2027 Oyo Governorship Ambition 

*Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu*, has withdrawn from the *2027 Oyo State governorship race* on the platform of the *All Progressives Congress, APC*.

In a statement personally signed and released on *Thursday* titled _‘APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice’_, Adelabu said his decision was not an admission of the alleged injustice that trailed the party’s primary in the state.

The *former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN*, said the decision followed deep reflection and a strategic review of recent developments within the party.

He disclosed that he had just returned from a short vacation abroad after what he described as the intensity of the past several months. Upon his return, he met with party leaders and supporters across the state.

According to him, the meetings reviewed concerns raised by members, aspirants and stakeholders, which extended to senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly nominations.

Adelabu said: _“We agreed that the absence of publicly declared and verifiable results has understandably generated serious concerns about the transparency, credibility and integrity of the nomination process._

_“We also affirmed that substantial documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence exist which, in our considered view, raise serious questions about aspects of the process and the eventual outcomes._

_“However, after extensive consultations, I have decided, as a loyal member of the APC, not to pursue an appeal within the party or institute legal proceedings over the process at this time.”_

The former minister stressed that his decision should not be interpreted as surrender or proof that his ambition was a do-or-die affair.

_“Rather, 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,”_ he said.

Adelabu noted that *APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda*, during a recent visit to the state, acknowledged that there were errors, unfairness and injustice in aspects of the primary process.

He, however, urged the national leadership to go beyond apologies and initiate a credible reconciliation process.

_“We therefore urge the National Leadership of the APC to urgently initiate a comprehensive, sincere and credible reconciliation process that covers all categories of nominations and genuinely engages all affected stakeholders,”_ he said.

_“Members who feel wounded, betrayed or alienated must be deliberately engaged and reassured through concrete actions that demonstrate that their loyalty and sacrifices still matter.”_

Adelabu reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, saying he had no plans to leave the party and that his ambition to govern Oyo State was never a do-or-die project.

Adelabu contested the party’s governorship ticket alongside 12 other aspirants, including *Senator Sharafadeen Alli* of Oyo South, who was eventually picked as the APC consensus governorship candidate for the state.