Don’t Defect From APC, Party’s Nat’l Headquarters Yet To Announce Guber Candidate, Adelabu Tells Supporters 

 

 

By Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa

 

 

 

Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and one of the prominent aspirants in Oyo State for the sole governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised his supporters against dumping the party for any of the leading opposition camps in the state.

 

The ex-minister stated that the said the APC national headquarters has not decided on who will fly the party’s flag as its gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming general elections.

 

He stressed that no  individual, group, or committee in Oyo has been authorised to announce the outcome of the poll.

 

In a statement issued on Monday, Adelabu urged his loyalists and the entire members of the APC to remain calm amid uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the party’s primary election.

 

He said reports circulating on social media and other unofficial channels regarding successful candidates should be disregarded pending an official pronouncement by the party leadership in Abuja.

 

“However, it is important to remind ourselves that the National Headquarters of our party has expressly directed that no individual, group or committee at the state level is authorised to announce the final outcome of the primaries,” he said.

 

 

“Consequently, any purported list of candidates being circulated on social media or through unofficial channels should be treated with utmost caution until the National Leadership of the party makes its official pronouncement.”

 

Adelabu appealed to party members and supporters to remain patient and law-abiding.

 

“At this crucial stage, no one should allow himself or herself to be misled by rumours, propaganda or premature victory claims designed to manipulate public perception, create confusion among party faithful and influence ongoing consultations within the party,” he said.

 

 

Adelabu also expressed concern over reports that some party members had defected to opposition parties over alleged consensus arrangements.

 

“I am particularly concerned by reports that some of our members, feeling aggrieved by the rumours surrounding the purported consensus arrangements, have begun defecting to opposition parties in protest,” he said.

 

“Let me state unequivocally that I condemn these defections in their entirety.”

 

He said abandoning the APC over speculation and unofficial information would weaken the party and benefit its political opponents.

 

 

 

“Every committed member of APC has invested time, resources, energy and sacrifices into the growth of this party,” he said.

 

“It would be unfortunate to abandon that investment based on speculations and unofficial information.

 

“I have absolute confidence that the National Leadership of our party possesses the wisdom, experience and institutional capacity to address all concerns arising from the primary process,” he said.

 

“I am equally confident that appropriate interventions will be made where necessary to ensure justice, fairness and party cohesion.” Adelabu added.

 

 

Adelabu urged party leaders, elders, youth groups, women groups, support organisations, and fellow aspirants to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of deepening divisions within the party.

 

He also cautioned against spreading unverified claims of endorsements, approvals, or predetermined consensus arrangements.

 

 

 

“The strength of our party lies in transparency, credibility and respect for due process,” he said.

 

“No individual or group should engage in activities capable of misleading our members or creating false impressions regarding decisions that have not been officially communicated by the National Headquarters.”

 

 

 

He urged APC members across Oyo to remain committed to the party and place unity above individual ambitions.

 

“Elections come and go, but the party remains our common platform for service, development and progressive governance,” he said.

 

Adelabu added that concerns raised by party members would be addressed through appropriate structures.

 

“Together, we shall overcome our current challenges, emerge stronger and position our great party for victory in the elections ahead,” he said.