Political Tensions in Oyo State
The political landscape in Oyo State is witnessing a significant shift as key figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) express concerns over the ambitions of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power. Former governors of Osun and Ogun states, Chief Adebisi Akande and Chief Olusegun Osoba, have reportedly advised Adelabu to reconsider his gubernatorial aspirations in Oyo State. Their concern stems from the belief that aligning with the broader interests of the APC is crucial for maintaining party unity and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Adelabu, who previously led the APC’s governorship campaign in 2019 and ran on the Accord platform in 2023, has not concealed his interest in contesting the 2027 election under the APC banner. However, recent developments suggest that he may not be the preferred choice of the party’s leadership.
On Friday, Sarafadeen Alli, a prominent governorship aspirant and current senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, launched his campaign at the Police Barracks field in Yemetu, Ibadan. The event attracted various stakeholders of the party, but notable figures such as Adelabu and Teslim Folarin, another governorship candidate, were absent.
A viral video circulating online during the weekend showed a group loyal to Adelabu indicating that the minister would resign this week to pursue his governorship ambition. President Bola Tinubu had set March 31, 2026, as the deadline for any political appointee with ambitions to resign. At the close of the deadline, Adelabu, who had earlier vowed to contest the election, did not resign.
Some party stakeholders and supporters claimed that Adelabu would resign this week to pursue his ambition. A source with knowledge of the matter told The PUNCH that the minister may resign this week. When asked if he would contest on the platform of the APC or join another platform to pursue his ambition, a source close to the minister simply replied, “He remains in the APC.”
An impeccable source revealed that APC South-West leaders held an interactive session with Adelabu in Lagos, where his political ambition and its implications for party cohesion and President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid were discussed.
Key Points from the Interactive Session
- The meeting was held in Lagos, and Chief Olusegun Osoba, Baba Akande, and some party leaders from the South-West were in attendance.
- They urged the minister to drop his governorship ambition and align with the party’s interest and every move that can help President Bola Tinubu return for another term.
- The minister seems to agree with the advice of these elderly men, and everyone left on a joyous note.
- Don’t forget that this kind of move is advisory, but with the disposition of the minister at the interactive session, nothing suggests that he won’t heed this highly important, wise counsel.
The source added that party leaders emphasized internal harmony within the APC and cautioned against actions that could destabilize existing political arrangements in the South-West ahead of the 2027 elections.
