The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, unequivocally stated that his decision to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Accord Party is not fueled by aspirations to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in 2027. Adelabu made this declaration during his official return to the APC at the party secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, on Friday.

Adelabu’s return to the APC came after his departure from the party in May 2022 when he failed to secure the governorship ticket. Addressing party loyalists at the event, the minister emphasized that his return, alongside others who had left with him, aims to strengthen the party. He clarified that their initial departure was rooted in principle rather than issues with the APC in the state or its members.

“I rejoined the party not with the aim of pursuing the 2027 governorship position or taking control of the party, but because I believe in the party that brought President Bola Tinubu to power. We must support him in fulfilling his electoral promises. This is a time for governance, not politics; Tinubu needs our support to succeed and execute his Renewed Hope Agenda,” Adelabu affirmed.

“We have returned to the party not to seize control or dissolve the executives; rather, we are here to extend a hand of fellowship and reconciliation. We assure you that our comeback is geared towards cooperation and collaboration to fortify the party, ultimately positioning it to assume power in the state in 2027,” he added.

In his response, the APC chairman in the state, Isaac Omodewu, represented by the party’s secretary, Alhaji Tajudeen Olanike, expressed the party’s openness to reconciliation and willingness to heed all aggrieved members to bolster the party. Moses Adeyemo, a former deputy governor, echoed the need for peace and unity among all members for the party’s progress.