2027: How Adelabu was edged out of Oyo governorship race

Strong indications have emerged that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, may have been sidelined in the unfolding political consensus ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.

Adelabu’s decision not to step down, despite a presidential directive mandating political appointees with electoral ambitions to resign, has intensified speculation about his standing within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The situation is further complicated by the emergence of a controversial “unity list” that allegedly outlines preferred candidates for key positions in the 2027 elections in Oyo State.

In the document, Senator Sharafadeen Alli is named as the party’s preferred governorship candidate, with Soji Adedeji, reportedly a brother to Zacchaeus Adedeji, pencilled down as running mate.

Other names featured in the list include Aderemi Oseni and Yunus Akintunde for National Assembly positions.

However, the APC has officially disowned the list, describing it as fake,  provocative, and satanic.  The state chapter of the party said it has since launched an investigation to identify those responsible for its circulation, amid fears that it could deepen internal divisions.

The Oyo State chapter of the party, through its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, said the document does not reflect any official position, stressing that the process for candidate selection including expression of interest and primaries has not yet begun.

Despite the denial, party insiders and analysts suggest that the circulation of such a list reflects entrenched power struggles and possible behind-the-scenes consensus-building, a strategy the APC has deployed in previous political exercises.

Adelabu had, in October 2025, openly declared his intention to contest the governorship, expressing confidence in his chances. However, recent developments appear to have weakened his prospects.

A political analyst and former APC chieftain, Jackson Lekan Ojo, noted that some stakeholders were dissatisfied with Adelabu’s performance as power minister, which may have counted against him during internal consultations.

Adebule was reportedly not favoured during a recent meeting between President Tinubu and some governors in Lagos, where key decisions were reached regarding security and the 2027 elections among others.

The Minister’s  media aide, Bolaji Tunji, insisted that the minister has no plans to resign, credible party sources indicate that Adelabu may have effectively fallen out of contention as political realignments intensify ahead of 2027.

Three ministers had resigned from the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to contest elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, in compliance with a presidential directive mandating political appointees with political ambitions to step down.

Those who have resigned  are the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Ahmed Alkali; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu. (BusinessDay)