Adebayo Adelabu withdraws from 2027 Oyo governorship race after losing APC ticket

Former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has withdrawn from the 2027 Oyo State governorship race after losing the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket, while insisting that his decision does not amount to conceding what he described as injustice in the party’s nomination process.

Adelabu announced his withdrawal in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, titled, “APC Nomination Process in Oyo State: Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice.”

The former minister said his decision followed deep reflection and a strategic reassessment of recent developments within the APC and the political journey ahead.

According to him, he took a short vacation outside the country following the intensity and challenges of the past several months before returning to consult with party leaders and supporters across the state.

Adelabu said his meetings with party stakeholders focused on concerns raised by members, aspirants and other stakeholders over the nomination process, including the senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly contests.

“We agreed that the absence of publicly declared and verifiable results has understandably generated serious concerns about the transparency, credibility and integrity of the nomination process,” he said.

He added that substantial documentary materials, authenticated collation records and video evidence were available which, in his view, raised serious questions about aspects of the process and the eventual outcomes.

Despite his withdrawal from the governorship contest, Adelabu maintained that he was not conceding the alleged irregularities surrounding the APC primary.