Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has distanced 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 leave the APC was personal and should not be linked to him or his political structure.
The clarification followed Akande’s appearance at the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Monday.
Akande, who was formerly associated with Adelabu, led a group of APC supporters from the 33 local government areas of Oyo State into the APM during the event.
The news caused curiosity in the state because of Akande’s previous relationship with Adelabu and his involvement in the former minister’s political activities.
However, Adelabu moved to separate himself from the development.
In a statement issued by his media office on Tuesday, the former minister explained that Akande was no longer his personal assistant and had stopped having any official, political or representational relationship with him.
According to Adelabu, their relationship ended after disagreements over their political directions.
He said the differences became more pronounced after Akande chose to pursue a political path different from his.
Adelabu maintained that Akande neither consulted him before joining the APM nor sought his approval for the political statements made at the rally.
He therefore asked the public not to interpret Akande’s movement as an indication that he was also planning to leave the APC.
The former minister said he remained a member of the ruling party and had no plan to defect.
Adelabu also reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu, describing the President as his political mentor and benefactor.
He said his disagreement with the APC was specifically about the process surrounding the party’s governorship nomination in Oyo State and not about leaving the party.
“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.
“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.”
The former minister had contested the APC governorship ticket and subsequently raised concerns over the conduct and documentation of the nomination exercise.
Rather than announcing a defection, Adelabu has continued to demand that the outcome of the exercise be made available with documents capable of establishing the result.
He argued that transparency was necessary to allow members and supporters to accept the outcome of the primary.
According to him, the issue was not simply about his personal ambition but about ensuring that the process was properly documented.
“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.”
The former minister also stressed that his continued support for Tinubu was based on more than their personal political relationship.
He said he believed in the importance of due process and properly documented primary elections.
Adelabu argued that the same principles should apply to the APC governorship nomination process in Oyo State.
He maintained that asking for the official result and supporting documents should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine the party or the President.
The former minister has also rejected suggestions that his disagreement with the primary process automatically places him on the path of joining another political party.