Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo state.
Adelabu declared his intention on Friday when he met with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and stakeholders in Ogbomoso and Oyo zones in Oyo state.
Speaking at the residence of Ayoade Adeseun, one of the APC leaders in the state, the power minister said the stakeholders’ consultation was part of his 2027 governorship ambition.
He appealed to aggrieved party members for forgiveness, adding that the concern should be how the party would return to power in 2027.
“I’m here to tell you that I want to contest for governor of Oyo State in 2027,” the minister was quoted by Punch.
“I’m ready to put to the test all the experience I’ve gathered from the past two elections.
“I’m not against other zones becoming governor of the state, all I know is that God’s time is the best.
“Ogbomoso is very important in this state election. I’m here to seek your support and backing. I’m happy to see that all the factions in Ogbomoso are now one.”
Addressing stakeholders in Oyo town, Adelabu promised that he would run an inclusive government if elected governor in 2027.
“I will run an all-inclusive government where everybody will be involved in the governance of the state, and no one will be left behind if I become governor of the state in 2027,” he said.
“I’m here for people to know that no one can impose anybody, I want to work and prove to our party members that I’m up to the task. I want to show them that I can withstand and survive competition and come out victorious.”
After losing out in the APC governorship primary in the build-up to the 2023 elections, Adelabu dumped the ruling party for the Accord Party (AP) and contested the poll as its flagbearer in Oyo state.
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), won his re-election bid after he pulled 563,756 votes to defeat Teslim Folarin of the APC, who came second with 256,685 votes.
Adelabu came a distant third with 38,357 votes.
The power minister was the APC Oyo governorship candidate in the 2019 election but lost to Makinde.
