Former Minister of Power and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has dissociated himself from the defection of his former aide, Ajiboye Akande, from the APC to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Adelabu said Akande’s decision to join the APM and his subsequent political activities were undertaken in his personal capacity and had nothing to do with him.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Adelabu said Akande defected to the APM at a rally held in Ibadan on September 21, 2026, adding that he had ceased to be his Personal Assistant and no longer had any official or political relationship with him.
He said their working relationship ended following irreconcilable differences over their political alignments, particularly after Akande chose a political path different from his own.
Adelabu stressed that Akande’s defection, statements and other political activities should not be linked to him, noting that the former aide no longer had his authority to speak or act on his behalf.
The former minister further declared that he remained a member of the APC and had not authorised anybody to defect from the party on his behalf.
Adelabu explained that his disagreement with aspects of the Oyo APC governorship nomination process was centred on transparency, documentation and legitimacy, rather than dissatisfaction that would warrant leaving the party.
He said he would not abandon the APC or betray President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as his political mentor and benefactor, stressing that his support for the President was also rooted in his belief in due process.
On the governorship primary, Adelabu called for the results to be formally released and backed by signed documents and other verifiable evidence, saying such documentation would provide a credible basis for acceptance of the outcome.
He added that his governorship ambition had never been a “do-or-die” affair, saying his interest was primarily to have an opportunity to serve Oyo State.
Adelabu also pointed out that he remained engaged in his real estate, hospitality, farming and financial securities businesses since leaving public office, insisting that he had no reason to switch political parties merely to remain relevant.