Former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has reaffirmed his continued membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), distancing himself from the recent defection of his former Personal Assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade Akande, to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Adelabu’s position was contained in a statement issued by his Media Office following Akande’s defection and the rally he led at the BoyeNation/JAF Movement Mega Concert held in Ibadan on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Akande, a prominent youth organiser and convener of BoyeNation, had led hundreds of youths, traders, artisans and other supporters into the APM ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, Adelabu’s Media Office clarified that Akande no longer serves as the former minister’s Personal Assistant and does not have any current official, political or representational relationship with him.
According to the statement, the working relationship between the two ended following differences in their political alignments, particularly after Akande opted for a political direction different from that of Adelabu.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Ajiboye Akande is no longer the Personal Assistant to Chief Adebayo Adelabu and has ceased to have any official, political or representational relationship with him,” the statement said.
The Media Office further stressed that Akande’s defection to the APM, the rally he led, his statements and other political activities were undertaken in his personal capacity and should not be linked to Adelabu.
“Mr. Akande’s defection, rally, statements and political activities are entirely personal to him and must not be attributed to Chief Adelabu. He neither speaks for nor represents Chief Adelabu,” it stated.
The clarification also reaffirmed Adelabu’s commitment to the APC, noting that he had repeatedly and unequivocally stated that he had no intention of leaving the party.
The former minister’s office explained that his disagreement with aspects of the Oyo State APC governorship nomination process should not be interpreted as an indication that he intends to abandon the party.
Rather, it said his concerns were centred on the transparency and legitimacy of the nomination process.
The statement also reaffirmed Adelabu’s commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as his political mentor and benefactor, as well as to the APC.
According to the Media Office, Adelabu has called for the results of the Oyo APC governorship primary to be properly released and supported with signed documents and other verifiable evidence.
It further stated that Adelabu’s governorship ambition was not a “do-or-die” affair, explaining that his interest had always been driven by the desire for an opportunity to serve the people of Oyo State.
The statement added that since leaving public office, Adelabu had remained actively engaged in his businesses, including real estate, hospitality, farming and financial securities.
The former minister’s office ultimately stated that Adelabu had neither defected from the APC nor authorised anyone to defect on his behalf.
“For the avoidance of any further doubt, Chief Adebayo Adelabu remains firmly in the APC. He has neither defected nor authorised anyone to defect on his behalf. The political activities of Mr. Ajiboye Akande are his personal decision and have no connection whatsoever with Chief Adelabu,” the statement said.
The clarification came a day after Akande formally led his supporters from the APC into the APM during the BoyeNation/JAF Movement Mega Concert in Ibadan.
While reports from the event described Akande as an ally and former aide of Adelabu, Akande himself had maintained that his decision to join the APM was independent of his former principal.
Akande, who announced his defection alongside hundreds of supporters, said his decision followed his assessment of political developments in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He also stated that his movement into the APM was not connected to Adelabu, stressing that he was mature enough to make his own political decision.
The development has therefore been followed by a clear separation of the political positions of the former minister and his former aide as preparations intensify among political parties and aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections.
