Adelabu eyes APC leadership after missing out on 2027 governorship ticket

Following the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State, attention has shifted to the political future of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who is now reportedly positioning himself for a key leadership role within the party.

With the governorship ticket effectively out of reach, political sources within the Oyo APC say Adelabu is concentrating on strengthening his influence in the party by seeking a strategic position in the state leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Party insiders said the move is aimed at preserving Adelabu’s political relevance and ensuring he remains a major stakeholder in the affairs of the Oyo APC despite missing the opportunity to contest the governorship.

According to sources familiar with developments, Adelabu’s camp believes that occupying a significant party office would provide him with a stronger voice in future political decisions, including candidate selection, reconciliation efforts and grassroots mobilization.

The development comes after the Oyo APC rallied behind Senator Sharafadeen Alli as its flag bearer in a move intended to present a united front against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the 2027 governorship election.

Political observers say Adelabu’s next move will be closely watched, as his supporters remain one of the largest blocs within the party. They note that securing a strategic party position could help maintain internal cohesion while preventing post-primary divisions that have affected the APC in previous election cycles.

Analysts also believe the party leadership will have to carefully balance the interests of various factions to avoid further cracks ahead of the polls. How the APC accommodates Adelabu and his loyalists in the coming months is expected to play a significant role in determining the party’s unity and electoral prospects in Oyo State.

While neither Adelabu nor the state APC leadership has officially confirmed his intention to seek a party office, discussions surrounding his possible emergence as a key party leader continue to dominate political conversations in the state.