The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, reigniting his political aspirations after two previous unsuccessful attempts.
Adelabu made the declaration during a strategic consultation with All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and stakeholders across Ogbomoso and Oyo zones on Friday.
The high-level meetings, which were part of his early mobilisation efforts, held at the residence of prominent APC leader, Ayoade Adeseun, in Ogbomoso.
Addressing party stalwarts and supporters, the former Central Bank Deputy Governor appealed for unity within the party and urged aggrieved members to forgive past grievances for the sake of reclaiming power in 2027.
“I’m here to formally declare that I will be contesting for the office of Governor of Oyo State in 2027,” Adelabu announced. “I’m ready to put to use the wealth of experience gathered from the 2019 and 2023 elections to lead the state into a new era of progress.”
He emphasised that his ambition was not driven by zoning sentiments but by a divine calling and capacity to govern.
“Ogbomoso is pivotal to our electoral victory. I’m glad to see all factions uniting for a common goal. My ambition is not about zones; it’s about good governance and timing, and I believe this is God’s appointed time,” he added.
The minister also promised to run an inclusive government if elected, pledging to carry all segments of the population along in governance.
“If given the mandate, no one will be left behind. My government will reflect the diversity of Oyo State and be committed to transparency and development,” he told stakeholders in Oyo town.
Adelabu, who was the APC gubernatorial candidate in 2019, lost to the incumbent, Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the 2023 election cycle, he defected to the Accord Party after losing the APC ticket to Senator Teslim Folarin. Running on the Accord platform, he finished third with 38,357 votes—far behind Makinde, who won with 563,756 votes.
However, following his appointment as Minister of Power by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, Adelabu returned to the APC fold and is now positioning himself as a frontrunner in the party’s 2027 race.
“I want to prove that I can survive intense political competition and emerge victorious through hard work, not imposition,” he said.
His return to the APC and fresh ambition come at a time the party is struggling with internal fractures in Oyo State. Political observers say Adelabu’s early declaration is aimed at consolidating his base, mending fences, and positioning himself as a unifying force ahead of the next general elections.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the minister will continue consultations across other zones of the state in the coming weeks, as he builds momentum toward clinching the APC ticket.
With the race for Agodi Government House already heating up, Adelabu’s renewed ambition has stirred fresh excitement and debates within Oyo’s political landscape.
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