Dare Adeniran
Power Minister, Chief Bayo Adelabu, is actively pursuing his ambition to become the Governor of Oyo State in the 2027 election.
Despite being considered a frontrunner for the state at the federal level, Adelabu is not complacent in his efforts to secure his party’s governorship ticket.
The competition to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027 is intensifying, with Adelabu facing numerous contenders within the All Progressives Congress (APC). Several other prominent APC members in the state have also expressed interest, and their numbers continue to grow.
These aspirants include Senator Teslim Folarin, former Senate Leader and APC’s 2023 governorship candidate, Senator Soji Akanbi, former Oyo South Senator, Dr. Debo Akande, Mr. Beulah Adeoye, Barrister Bayo Shittu, former Communication Minister, Senator Fatai Buhari, Oyo North Federal lawmaker, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, and Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, former Commissioner for Finance.
Adelabu is strategizing to gain an advantage over his rivals, leveraging his lineage as the grandson of political icon Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu (Penkelemesi), his accomplishments in both private and public sectors, and his strong connections within the national leadership of the APC.
He has openly stated his determination to succeed this time. In a recent engagement with party loyalists, Adelabu reportedly declared his readiness to unify the party, persuade necessary individuals, and utilize all available means to secure the APC ticket and ultimately win the 2027 gubernatorial election.
Speaking at nother political event last week, Adelabu also declared confidently that it’s his turn to rule the state, noting that he has paid his dues.
He said, “Emi Lokan”, meaning ‘it’s my turn’, adding that, “Truly, I have been on this journey for so long. I believe you don’t get a position immediately you join politics. I have paid my dues. I ran against Seyi Makinde in 2019, and again in 2023. By that time he was already in power.
“In 2027, God has shown that it’s my turn. Emi lokan o, Adelabu lo kan. What’s mine belongs to all of us. I’m telling you there’s a lot of hard work ahead. All party members have to be involved, one person cannot do it.”
Not done, Adelabu also met with the Oyo APC Media Team recently. During the meeting, the banker-turned politician donated a sum of N12.5 million to the team and urged them to promote the party’s image unconditionally and refrain from making divisive or destructive comments about aspirants within the party.
“Let’s unite all factions and work towards rebuilding peace and unity within the APC,” Adelabu said. “You cannot be in the APC and be praising other political parties. Let’s avoid destroying other aspirants; such actions only deepen divisions within the party. It’s fine to promote your preferred candidate, but we must not do so at the expense of others.”
The cash donation, according to Adelabu, was part of his ongoing empowerment initiatives, the larger part of which is scheduled to commence in October.
Adelabu also used the opportunity to address some other burning issues pertaining to his short exit from APC and his appointment as minister while still in an opposition party, Accord, from where he contested the 2023 governorship election.
He insisted that he has consistently enjoyed the goodwill of past presidents and party leaders who have recognized his competence and recommended him for various national roles.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed me as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while President Muhammadu Buhari retained me in that position and conferred on me the national honour of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
“President Bola Tinubu appointed me Minister of Power, and the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi supported my 2019 governorship ambition. These leaders, in their own ways, recognized my capability and dedication to service,” he noted.
As it is now, Adelabu appears to have adopted new strategies for his ambition to become a reality including grassroots engagement program, focusing on direct interaction with those who matter in his party.
Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor, Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), contested the governorship under the APC in 2019 and again under Accord in 2023. Now he is set to contest under APC once again. The big question now is: can he make a difference in 2027 by achieving his long-time dream?
-Dare Adeniran
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Source: CityPeopleOnline | Read the Full Story…
