The political future of Adebayo Adelabu ahead of the 2027 Oyo governorship election has become the subject of conflicting narratives, with senior party figures and his inner circle offering sharply different accounts of recent developments.
On one hand, reports indicate that prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, including former Osun State governor Adebisi Akande and former Ogun State governor Olusegun Osoba, advised the Minister of Power to reconsider his governorship ambition in the interest of party unity.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the intervention followed an interactive session in Lagos where concerns were raised about internal cohesion within the APC and the potential impact of Adelabu’s ambition on President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. The leaders were said to have urged Adelabu to align with broader party interests, particularly in light of emerging preferences within the party’s hierarchy.
The development comes amid speculation that Adelabu, who previously contested the Oyo governorship election, may resign from the Federal Executive Council to pursue his ambition, despite missing an earlier resignation deadline set for political appointees.
However, this narrative has been firmly rejected by Adelabu’s camp.
In a counter-statement, his aide, Femi Awogboro, dismissed the reports as “sponsored” and politically motivated, insisting that no such meeting took place and that the claims were designed to undermine the minister’s growing influence within the party.
Awogboro maintained that both Akande and Osoba remain longstanding mentors and supporters of Adelabu, arguing that it would be inconsistent for them to oppose an ambition they had previously encouraged.
He further asserted that the minister continues to enjoy widespread grassroots support across Oyo State and remains committed to pursuing his governorship bid under the APC platform.
The aide also cautioned media organisations against disseminating unverified information, warning that false narratives could inflame internal tensions within the party.