By Ade Oyeyemi
Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has dissociated himself from the decision of his former aide, Ajiboye Akande, to leave the APC for the Allied Peoples Movement.
Akande, who was formerly Adelabu’s Personal Assistant, led a group of supporters from the APC into the APM at a political gathering in Ibadan on Monday. Reports said the defectors were drawn from different parts of Oyo State.
But Adelabu, in a statement issued by his media office in Ibadan on Tuesday, said Akande no longer had any official, political or representational relationship with him.
He explained that their working relationship had ended after differences emerged over their respective political alignments.
According to the former minister, Akande’s decision to join the APM was therefore a personal political choice which should not be linked to him.
Adelabu 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.”
He also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu, describing him as his political mentor and benefactor.
“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,” he said.
Adelabu said his concerns over the APC governorship nomination process were centred on transparency, proper documentation and legitimacy rather than dissatisfaction that would warrant leaving the party.
He called for the outcome of the exercise to be properly documented and supported by signed records and other verifiable evidence.
“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,” he said.
The former minister also maintained that his ambition to become governor was not a do-or-die affair, saying his primary interest was the opportunity to serve the people of Oyo State.
Adelabu further said he had remained active in his private businesses since leaving public office, listing real estate, hospitality, farming and financial securities among his areas of involvement.
He argued that his continued involvement in business meant he did not depend on political office for his livelihood and had no reason to move between political parties merely to remain relevant.
The former minister therefore stressed that he had neither defected from the APC nor authorised anyone to leave the party on his behalf.
“The political activities of Akande are his personal decision and have no connection whatsoever with me,” he stated.
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Akande’s defection came during the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, where Oyo State Governor and APM presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, received the defectors.
The development comes amid ongoing political realignments in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Akande and his supporters now aligned with the APM while Adelabu says he remains within the APC.
