Minister of Power and prominent chieftain of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has described the party’s defeat
in the just-concluded Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election as painful but
instructive.
He said the outcome should serve as another wake-up call for deep
introspection, genuine reconciliation, and collective action within the APC.
In a statement issued on Monday through his Media Aide, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu
congratulated the winner of the election, Honourable Folajimi Oyekunle of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), while stressing that the result was received with mixed
emotions.
“I received the outcome with mixed feelings—sad that we lost as a party, but humbled
by the people’s verdict. This defeat should inspire us to reflect deeply, heal internal
divisions, and reconcile genuinely ahead of 2027, which presents another opportunity
for our party,” he said.
Adelabu emphasized that the APC remains a strong and progressive party with a
proven record of impactful governance. However, he noted that the loss underscores
the urgent need for unity, internal cohesion, and a renewed commitment to the welfare
of the people.
“Elections are not merely about winning or losing; they are a reflection of the people’s
confidence in our leadership and our capacity to deliver on their aspirations,” he added.
The Minister observed that voter apathy, even among party members, was a clear sign
that grievances and divisions within the APC contributed significantly to the
disappointing result.
“We cannot afford to ignore the voices of discontent within our fold or take the support of
our constituents for granted. Now, more than ever, we must put aside personal
ambitions, bridge existing gaps, and rebuild trust with the electorate,” he stressed.
Adelabu also cautioned against interpreting the PDP’s victory as a demonstration of
popularity, citing the extremely low voter turnout of just 13 percent. He alleged that the
ruling party relied heavily on state resources and vote buying to secure its win, a
practice he said could not be sustained in the 2027 general elections.
“One local government, which houses the seat of government, cannot be used to
generalize the popularity of the ruling party across the state. The 2027 elections will be different, as the governor’s influence will naturally wane. If we put our house in order, the tide will certainly turn in our favour,” Adelabu declared.
On allegations that he influenced the emergence of the APC candidate, Adelabu firmly
denied any role in the process. He clarified that while the candidate, Wale Olatunji
Murphy, was perceived as close to him, he had no involvement in the primaries.
“Whichever way the primaries turned out, I knew I would be accused or indicted. If
Murphy had lost, people would say I abandoned loyalty or lacked influence to impose
Murphy; since he won, some claimed I imposed him. The truth is, I did not influence the
process. I have reteirated this with genuine evidence at many of our internal meetings
with Ibadan North Party stateholders with Apex leaders and aspirants. As a leader, I
pledged to support whoever emerged, and I did so wholeheartedly,” he explained.
Acknowledging the post-election criticisms that arose from this wrong insinuation of
imposition, Adelabu said he remains undeterred, describing such challenges as part of
the price of leadership. He reaffirmed his commitment to working with other leaders and
the party’s national structure to reconcile all interests ahead of future elections.
Calling for unity, Adelabu urged all APC leaders, stakeholders, and members across
Oyo State to embrace reconciliation and return to the drawing board.
“This is not the time for blame games but for collective responsibility. No aspiration is
too big to be sacrificed for the unity, peace, and progress of our party. Together, we can
restore the confidence of the people and return APC to winning ways,” he said.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the electorate for participating in the election and
commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a
peaceful process. However, he cautioned the electoral body against tolerating vote
buying, insisting that credible elections are crucial for the growth of Nigeria’s democracy.