Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has firmly dissociated himself from the defection of his former personal assistant, Ajiboye Akande, to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Akande defected during a rally in Ibadan on Monday. In a statement, Adelabu clarified that Akande is no longer his aide and has no official, political or representational ties with him. He said their working relationship ended after irreconcilable differences over political direction.
“Akande’s defection, rally, statements and political activities are entirely personal to him and must not be attributed to me,” Adelabu stated. “He can no longer speak for or represent me.”
The former minister reaffirmed that he remains a committed member of the APC and has no plans to leave the party. He emphasised that his concerns about the Oyo State governorship nomination process centre solely on the need for transparency, proper documentation and legitimacy — not a desire to abandon the APC.
Adelabu said he would not betray President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as his political mentor and benefactor, or the party that gave him the opportunity to serve. His support for the President, he added, rests on both personal loyalty and confidence in the legitimacy of Tinubu’s emergence through a properly conducted primary.
“All I have been calling for is that the principle of transparency, documentation and legitimacy be applied to the Oyo State governorship primary elections,” he said. “Let the results of the exercise be properly released, supported by the relevant signed documents and other verifiable evidence. That is the proper foundation for acceptance and collective support.”
Adelabu stressed that his governorship ambition has never been a “do-or-die” affair. “My interest has always been about the opportunity to serve Oyo State,” he noted. “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 have no need to jump from one political party to another simply to remain relevant.”
He concluded that he remains firmly in the APC, has neither defected nor authorised anyone to defect on his behalf, and that Akande’s political moves have no connection whatsoever with him.
