Adelabu dismisses defection rumor, reaffirms loyalty to APC

Adebayo Adelabu, a former Minister of Power and a key figure aspiring for the governorship under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State for the 2027 elections, has vehemently denied reports suggesting he plans to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

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It is important to note that the APC gubernatorial primary process has not even been concluded, and no result has been officially declared. Consequently, the fabrication of stories about a purported defection lacks any factual basis whatsoever and can only be viewed as a desperate attempt to attract public attention by exploiting the name and stature of Adelabu.

Femi Awogboro, Adelabu's media aide, issued a statement on Wednesday refuting the allegations. Awogboro asserted that Adelabu has neither considered nor authorized any move to the SDP or any other political party. This denial comes in response to a statement attributed to the media office of an SDP governorship hopeful, Saheed Oladele, who had cautioned Adelabu against seeking the SDP's gubernatorial ticket.

Awogboro described the claims made by Oladele's office as a fabrication, stating they exist solely in the imagination of those promoting them. He pointed out that the APC gubernatorial primary process has not yet concluded, and no official results have been declared. Therefore, Awogboro argued, any stories about a purported defection lack factual basis and are merely a desperate ploy to attract public attention by leveraging Adelabu's name and standing.

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Chief Adelabu remains a committed and loyal member of the APC. He has had his fair and reasonable share of top government appointments and leadership responsibilities and has no reason to engage in the kind of political desperation being falsely attributed to him.

Furthermore, Awogboro emphasized Adelabu's unwavering commitment to the APC, stating that the former minister is not driven by political desperation. He added that suggesting Adelabu would seek relevance through a hurried and imaginary political defection is insulting and demonstrates a poor understanding of the political landscape in Oyo State. The aide urged those spreading these false narratives to cease their efforts and instead focus on developing their own political profiles and presenting their credentials to voters.

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It is therefore both insulting and ridiculous to suggest that a personality of Chief Adelabu’s standing would be seeking relevance through a hurried and imaginary political defection. Such a claim not only insults his person but also betrays a poor understanding of the political realities in Oyo State.