Adelabu distances self from ex-aide’s APM defection

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

Adelabu, in a statement from his media office, said Ajiboye was no longer his personal assistant and had ceased to have any official, political or representational relationship with him.

The statement disclosed that their working relationship ended following irreconcilable differences in their political alignments, particularly after Ajiboye chose APM, described as a political direction contrary to his party, the APC.

The PUNCH reports that several supporters of the APC in the 33 local government areas of the state, led by Ajiboye, joined the APM during the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Monday.

Adelabu said Ajiboye took a solo decision in defecting and making political statements at the rally.

The ex-minister said he remained a member of the APC and had huge respect for President Bola Tinubu as his mentor and benefactor.

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

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“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 APC to the APM, during a rally held in Ibadan.”

Adelabu reiterated that, while his governorship desire was not a do-or-die matter, he still yearned for evidence of the prosecution of the governorship primary of the APC in Oyo State.

Adelabu said, “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 am neither idle nor dependent 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 do not need to jump from one political party to another simply to remain relevant,” he added.