Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has closed the chapter on his challenge to the Oyo State APC governorship nomination process, but says he is not conceding what he described as injustice surrounding the exercise.

Adelabu spoke on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during a meeting with party leaders, loyalists and supporters representing the 33 Local Government Areas and 351 wards of Oyo State.

The meeting followed his return from a short overseas vacation and was convened to review the outcome of the APC’s nomination exercises for the 2027 general elections and determine the way forward.

Despite raising fresh concerns over the credibility of the process, Adelabu said he would neither pursue an internal appeal nor commence legal proceedings at this time.

‘I Am Not Surrendering the Truth’

Adelabu made it clear that his decision to step back from further challenges should not be interpreted as an acceptance of the process.

He said substantial documentary evidence, authenticated collation records and video materials were available to support concerns raised over the conduct and outcome of the primaries.

He particularly questioned why the actual votes reportedly scored by aspirants at ward and local government levels were not formally and transparently published before selected names were uploaded to the INEC electronic portal as the party’s candidates.

According to him, the issue was not restricted to the governorship contest but extended across the senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly nominations.

He described the development as a major source of frustration among party members who participated in the exercises.

National Chairman’s Admission Strengthens Call for Correction

Adelabu also referenced comments recently made by the APC National Chairman during his visit to Oyo State, where he said the party leadership acknowledged errors, unfairness and injustice in aspects of the primary process.

For Adelabu, an acknowledgement of wrongdoing should not end with an apology if corrective measures remain possible.

He called on the party’s national leadership to confront the issues directly and pursue a credible reconciliation process capable of restoring confidence among members.

‘Reconciliation Must Go Beyond Persuasion’

The former CBN Deputy Governor argued that the current grievances could not simply be handed over to aspirants to resolve.

He said many ordinary APC members had invested years, resources and political capital in building the party and were now disillusioned because they believed their votes and preferences had not been adequately reflected in the final nominations.

Adelabu therefore urged the party to engage these members directly and demonstrate through concrete action that their loyalty and sacrifices still mattered.

He warned that the APC could not take grassroots support for granted ahead of 2027.

“Elections are won through the trust, enthusiasm, commitment and active participation of party members and supporters,” he maintained.

Adelabu Warns Supporters Against Anti-Party Activity

But perhaps the strongest political message from the meeting was Adelabu’s unequivocal rejection of any attempt by his supporters to retaliate through anti-party activities.

The former minister said he “does not support, encourage or condone” any anti-party action by his supporters, loyalists, associates or political structures.

He declared that anyone engaging in such activities would be acting without his blessing.

Adelabu also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, making it clear that his grievances with the nomination process would not translate into abandonment of the party.

Governorship Ambition ‘Not Do-or-Die’

The former minister further dismissed any suggestion that his ambition to govern Oyo State was a do-or-die affair.

He said his desire to become governor was rooted in his conviction that he could contribute meaningfully to the development and prosperity of the state.

Adelabu acknowledged that recent events might have postponed the realisation of that ambition but said he remained confident in divine timing.

His message to supporters was one of restraint, patience and discipline.

Quoting a lesson from his late grandmother, Adelabu said: “Revenge doesn’t heal; it only creates another wound.”

He urged supporters not to allow disappointment over the nomination process to push them into actions capable of damaging the APC and undermining the democratic principles they had fought to uphold.

‘Closing the Contest, Not Conceding the Injustice’

Adelabu thanked thousands of supporters across Oyo State for standing by him throughout the contest, describing their commitment and sacrifices as one of the most significant experiences of his political career.

He expressed optimism that the APC would eventually address the concerns surrounding the nomination process and rebuild the unity necessary for the party to face the 2027 elections.

In a defining statement that captured the thrust of his position, Adelabu said:

“We may be closing this particular contest, but we are not conceding the injustice.”

The statement effectively draws a line under his immediate challenge to the nomination outcome while keeping alive his demand for fairness, transparency and corrective action within the party.

For now, however, Adelabu says he remains firmly within the APC—and his supporters have been explicitly warned against taking the fight outside the party’s fold.