The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has clarified that the Tinubu government has not endorsed any aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship race in Oyo State, ahead of the 2027 elections. The clarification comes amid speculation within political circles over alleged preferred candidates and possible consensus arrangements in the state chapter of the party.
Adelabu made the clarification while speaking with party stakeholders in Ibadan shortly after returning from Abuja. He addressed growing discussions within the APC in Oyo State regarding the mode of selecting its governorship candidate for the 2027 election cycle.
The APC has continued internal consultations nationwide on whether to adopt direct primaries, indirect primaries, or consensus arrangements for candidate selection. These discussions have generated differing interpretations among aspirants and party stakeholders at the state level.
Adelabu stated that the Tinubu government remains neutral in the selection process and has not issued any endorsement for any aspirant in Oyo State. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu, as leader of a federal government overseeing all states, does not interfere in internal party contests at the state level.
He also dismissed reports suggesting that any individual had been adopted as a consensus candidate, describing such claims as incorrect and urging party members to disregard them. According to him, the President had advised party stakeholders to either reach consensus internally or proceed with transparent primaries where consensus is not achievable.
Adelabu further explained that the APC’s internal democratic structure provides equal opportunity for all aspirants, and no individual has been pre-selected or imposed by the leadership of the Tinubu government or the party at the national level. He also urged party members and supporters to avoid actions or statements that could create divisions within the party, stressing the importance of unity ahead of the primaries.
The clarification that the Tinubu government has not endorsed any aspirant is significant in managing internal expectations within the APC in Oyo State. It reinforces the party’s official position that candidate emergence will follow established internal procedures.
The statement also highlights ongoing tensions and speculation often associated with pre-election periods, particularly in states where multiple aspirants are vying for party tickets. Political observers note that such clarifications are often necessary to maintain internal stability and prevent misinformation from shaping delegate or stakeholder decisions ahead of primaries.
