Former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has decided against pursuing legal action over the APC’s Oyo governorship primary, calling on the party’s leadership to urgently reconcile aggrieved members ahead of the 2027 election. The APC governorship aspirant disclosed his decision in a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, saying he was stepping back from further […]

Former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has decided against pursuing legal action over the APC’s Oyo governorship primary, calling on the party’s leadership to urgently reconcile aggrieved members ahead of the 2027 election.

The APC governorship aspirant disclosed his decision in a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, saying he was stepping back from further legal action in the interest of peace, stability and the future of the party.

Adelabu said his decision followed discussions with party leaders and representatives of his supporters drawn from the 33 local government areas and 351 wards across the state. He stressed that abandoning the legal route was not an indication that he lacked evidence or confidence in his position.

Tension has continued within the Oyo APC following the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election. Some aspirants have protested the process, alleging that the senator representing Oyo South was imposed on them by party leaders.

Adelabu said that despite his concerns about the process, he would not presently pursue an appeal within the party or institute court proceedings. He described the decision as a deliberate attempt to prevent further divisions within the APC and said it should not be mistaken for surrender.

He also pointed to comments made by the APC national chairman during his recent visit to Oyo State, when the party leader reportedly acknowledged errors, unfairness and injustice in some aspects of the primary process. Adelabu argued that an apology alone would not be sufficient where there remained an opportunity to correct the identified problems.

The former minister said numerous party members had sacrificed years, money, time and political resources to build the APC, but now believed their contributions and preferences had been disregarded. He said such grievances should not simply be dismissed as the influence of individual aspirants.

According to him, dissatisfaction extends beyond the governorship contest to the senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly nominations. He alleged that candidates were entered on the INEC electronic portal without the transparent publication of the primary results that should have formed the basis for their emergence.

Adelabu further claimed that documentary evidence, authenticated collation records and video materials existed that raised questions about parts of the nomination process and its eventual outcomes. He consequently urged the APC national leadership to take concrete steps to restore the confidence of members who feel betrayed or excluded.

He called for a broad and genuine reconciliation involving all categories of affected aspirants and stakeholders. According to him, party members who feel wounded or alienated must be reassured through actions rather than words, because their support would be crucial to the APC’s performance at the polls.

Adelabu warned that electoral success could not be achieved merely through the announcement of candidates or the uploading of names on an electronic platform. He stressed that winning elections requires the active participation, trust and enthusiasm of members and supporters, particularly those at the grassroots.

While the former minister has stepped away from legal action for now, he maintained that his ambition to govern Oyo State remains rooted in his desire to contribute to its development. He said his aspiration was never a do-or-die affair and expressed confidence that what had been delayed by human actions could still be achieved according to God’s timing.