M Oyo 2027: Adelabu distances self from ex-aide’s defection to APM

The former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State for the 2027 election, Adebayo Adelabu, on Tuesday, distanced himself from the defection of his former aide, Ajiboye Akande, from the APC to the Allied Peoples Movement during a rally held in Ibadan on Monday.

Adelabu, in a statement released by his media office in Ibadan, said Akande was no longer his Personal Assistant and had ceased to have any official, political or representational relationship with him.

He said their working relationship ended following irreconcilable differences in their political alignments, particularly after Akande chose a political direction different from his.

The PUNCH reports that hundreds of APC supporters from the 33 local government areas of the state defected to the APM during the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert led by Akande at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Adelabu, however, said Akande’s defection, rally, statements and political activities were entirely personal to him and should not be attributed to him, stressing that Akande could no longer speak for or represent him.

The former minister said, “I remain a member of the APC and have no intention of leaving the party. My disagreement with aspects of the Oyo governorship nomination process is about the process and the need for transparency and legitimacy, and not an excuse to abandon the party.

“I will not betray President Bola Tinubu, whom I regard as my political mentor and benefactor, or abandon the party that provided me the opportunity to serve

So, I am using this period to distance myself from yesterday’s defection of my former aide, Akande, from the APC to the APM during a rally held in Ibadan.”

He stressed that his support for the President was based not merely on personal loyalty but also on his belief in due process and the legitimacy of the President’s emergence through a properly conducted and documented primary process.

Adelabu added that all he had been demanding was the application of the principles of transparency, documentation and legitimacy to the Oyo governorship primary election.

“Let the results of the exercise be properly released, supported by the relevant signed documents and other verifiable evidence. That, in my view, is the proper foundation for acceptance and collective support.

“My governorship ambition has never been a do-or-die affair. My interest has always been about the opportunity to serve Oyo.

“Besides, I neither idle nor depend on political office for my livelihood. Since leaving public office, I have remained fully engaged in my real estate, hospitality, farming and financial securities businesses.

“I therefore have no need to jump from one political party to another simply to remain relevant,” he added.

The former minister insisted that he remained firmly in the APC and had neither defected nor authorised anyone to defect on his behalf.

He noted that “the political activities of Akande are his personal decision and have no connection whatsoever with me.”