A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, has said President Bola Tinubu and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, have not endorsed any candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
Adelabu stated this on Thursday while addressing supporters and party members in Ibadan, shortly after returning from Abuja.
He described reports suggesting that the duo had backed a preferred aspirant as false, urging party members to disregard them.
Adelabu said, “President Tinubu has not endorsed any consensus candidate, and the gubernatorial contest is open to whoever is interested. Asiwaju is the President of Nigeria, overseeing 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He is the President of 774 Local Governments. He is the President of almost 3,000 wards. So, he will not endorse or have a special interest in anyone.”
He added that the President had advised party stakeholders to either reach a consensus or conduct primaries.
“He (Tinubu) said we should all go and meet as a party, reach consensus among ourselves as a party with critical stakeholders on the ground, and if it’s not possible for us to reach consensus, then we go for a direct primary,” he said.
On claims that the Olubadan had endorsed a candidate, Adelabu dismissed the reports.
“On Olubadan endorsing an aspirant, I take the report as a rumour, and I don’t believe in it. Olubadan is the father of all, irrespective of status or political affiliations,” he stated.
It was earlier reported that Adelabu recently resigned as Minister of Power to pursue his governorship ambition in the state.
Speaking on his ambition, he urged residents to support his bid, promising inclusive governance if elected.
“My ambition to become governor of Oyo in 2027 is not to enrich myself, favour or benefit APC members, but the generality of the populace. My administration will be for the mass-oriented, including the poor, less privileged, women, youths, indigenes and residents of the state at large,” he said.
