Adebayo Adelabu, former minister of power and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo, has urged party members to remain calm amid uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the party’s primary election.
In a statement issued on Monday, Adelabu said the APC
national headquarters has not authorised any individual, group, or committee in
Oyo to announce the outcome of the poll.
He said reports circulating on social media and other
unofficial channels regarding successful candidates should be disregarded
pending an official pronouncement by the party leadership in Abuja.
“However, it is important to remind ourselves that the
National Headquarters of our party has expressly directed that no individual,
group or committee at the state level is authorised to announce the final
outcome of the primaries,” he said.
“Consequently, any purported list of candidates being
circulated on social media or through unofficial channels should be treated
with utmost caution until the National Leadership of the party makes its
official pronouncement.”
Adelabu appealed to party members and supporters to remain
patient and law-abiding.
“At this crucial stage, no one should allow himself or
herself to be misled by rumours, propaganda or premature victory claims
designed to manipulate public perception, create confusion among party faithful
and influence ongoing consultations within the party,” he said.
Adelabu also expressed concern over reports that some party
members had defected to opposition parties over alleged consensus arrangements.
“I am particularly concerned by reports that some of our
members, feeling aggrieved by the rumours surrounding the purported consensus
arrangements, have begun defecting to opposition parties in protest,” he said.
“Let me state unequivocally that I condemn these defections
in their entirety.”
He said abandoning the APC over speculation and unofficial
information would weaken the party and benefit its political opponents.
“Every committed member of APC has invested time, resources,
energy and sacrifices into the growth of this party,” he said.
“It would be unfortunate to abandon that investment based on
speculations and unofficial information.”
Adelabu said the experiences of the 2019 and 2023 elections
showed that internal divisions and avoidable defections could undermine the
party’s electoral prospects.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the APC national
leadership to address concerns arising from the primary process.
“I have absolute confidence that the National Leadership of
our party possesses the wisdom, experience and institutional capacity to
address all concerns arising from the primary process,” he said.
“I am equally confident that appropriate interventions will
be made where necessary to ensure justice, fairness and party cohesion.”
Adelabu urged party leaders, elders, youth groups, women
groups, support organisations, and fellow aspirants to exercise restraint and
avoid actions capable of deepening divisions within the party.
He also cautioned against spreading unverified claims of
endorsements, approvals, or predetermined consensus arrangements.
“The strength of our party lies in transparency, credibility
and respect for due process,” he said.
“No individual or group should engage in activities capable
of misleading our members or creating false impressions regarding decisions
that have not been officially communicated by the National Headquarters.”
He urged APC members across Oyo to remain committed to the
party and place unity above individual ambitions.
“Elections come and go, but the party remains our common
platform for service, development and progressive governance,” he said.
Adelabu added that concerns raised by party members would be
addressed through appropriate structures.
“Together, we shall overcome our current challenges, emerge
stronger and position our great party for victory in the elections ahead,” he
said.
Adelabu resigned as minister of power on April 22 to focus
on his governorship ambition in Oyo state.
Other Oyo APC gubernatorial hopefuls are Sharafadeen Alli,
senator representing Oyo south; Rauf Olaniyan, a former deputy governor of the
state; Adewale Kareem, Musbau Asanike, Akeem Agbaje, Oyedele Alao and Ololade
Bakare.
The ex-minister contested the 2023 Oyo governorship election
on the Accord Party platform.
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