Former Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has distanced himself from the defection of his former aide, Ajiboye Akande, from the APC to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Adelabu, in a statement issued by his media office in Ibadan on Tuesday, said Akande was no longer his Personal Assistant and had ceased to have any official, political or representational relationship with him.
He said their working relationship ended following differences in their political alignments, adding that Akande’s defection, rally and political activities were personal decisions that should not be attributed to him.
The clarification followed a rally held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Monday, where the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert, led by Akande, was held. The event was reportedly attended by APC supporters from the 33 local government areas of the state who announced their defection to the APM.
Adelabu said he remained a member of the APC and had no intention of leaving the party, stressing that his disagreement with aspects of the Oyo governorship nomination process was about transparency, documentation and legitimacy rather than a decision to abandon the party.
“I remain a member of the APC and have no intention of leaving the party. My disagreement with aspects of the Oyo governorship nomination process is about the process and the need for transparency and legitimacy, and not an excuse to abandon the party,” he said.
The former minister said his support for President Bola Tinubu was based on both political loyalty and his belief in due process, noting that he expected the Oyo governorship primary results to be properly released and supported by signed documents and other verifiable evidence.
Adelabu also said his governorship ambition was not a “do-or-die affair”, adding that his interest was to have an opportunity to serve the people of Oyo State. He further noted that he remained engaged in his real estate, hospitality, farming and financial securities businesses since leaving public office.
He therefore maintained that he had neither defected from the APC nor authorised anyone to defect on his behalf, stressing that Akande’s political activities had no connection with him.
