Former Osun State Governor, Adebisi Akande, and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, have reportedly urged the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to reconsider his governorship ambition in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
The elder statesmen were said to have advised the minister to align with the broader interests of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rather than pursue a potentially divisive bid.
Their intervention comes amid growing speculation that Adelabu has concluded plans to resign from the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue his governorship ambition.
Sources familiar with the development indicated that the minister may step down this week, although no official confirmation has been issued.
Adelabu, who contested the governorship election in 2019 under the APC and in 2023 on the platform of Accord Party, has repeatedly expressed interest in contesting again in 2027.
Recent developments, however, suggest that Adelabu may not be the preferred candidate of influential figures within the party.
At a recent campaign flag-off in Ibadan, the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, who is widely tipped as a leading contender, drew significant support from party stakeholders.
Notably absent at the event were Adelabu and another former governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin, an indication of growing divisions within the party.
President Tinubu had earlier directed all political appointees with ambitions for elective office to resign by March 31, 2026.
Despite earlier indications that he would contest, Adelabu did not step down before the deadline, further fuelling uncertainty over his next move.
However, supporters of the minister have continued to insist that he remains firmly in the race.
A source close to Adelabu confirmed that the minister is still committed to the APC despite the unfolding developments.
When asked whether he might consider another political platform, the source said, “He remains in the APC.”
An impeccable source told The PUNCH that the APC South-West leaders held an interactive session with Adelabu in Lagos, where his political ambition and its implications for party cohesion and President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid were discussed.
The source said, “I can confirm that there was indeed not really a meeting, but an interactive session with the Minister of Power over his Oyo State governorship ambition.
“The meeting was held in Lagos, and Chief Olusegun Osoba, Baba Akande and some party leaders from the South-West were in attendance.
“They urged the minister to drop his governorship ambition and align with the party’s interest and every move that can help President Bola Tinubu to return for another term.
“And the minister seems to agree with the advice of these elderly men, and everyone left on a joyous note.
“Don’t forget that this kind of move is advisory, but with the disposition of the minister at the interactive session, nothing suggests that he won’t heed this highly important, wise counsel.”
According to the source, party leaders emphasised internal harmony within the APC and cautioned against actions that could destabilise existing political arrangements in the South-West ahead of the 2027 elections.