The immediate past Minister of Power and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has denied reports that he has withdrawn from the 2027 governorship race.

Adelabu’s aide, Femi Awogboro, made the clarification in a statement, describing reports of the former minister’s withdrawal as misleading.

Awogboro said Adelabu had neither abandoned his ambition nor accepted what he and his supporters considered an unjust outcome from the recently concluded APC governorship primary in the state.

He said Adelabu had never announced, suggested or implied that he would withdraw from the contest.

“Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous and misleading interpretation by some sections of the media of the recent press statement issued by Chief Adebayo Adelabu, suggesting that he has withdrawn from the race for the governorship of Oyo State,” Awogboro said.

He explained that Adelabu’s earlier statement was an appeal to his loyalists, supporters and other concerned party members to remain calm and dignified while awaiting appropriate steps from the APC national leadership to address what they considered errors and injustices in the primary process.

“Chief Adelabu’s decision to counsel restraint is borne out of his commitment to the unity, stability and progress of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It should therefore not be misconstrued as weakness, surrender, withdrawal or acceptance of what he and his supporters consider an unjust outcome,” he said.

Awogboro said Adelabu was encouraged by the public acknowledgement by the APC National Chairman that errors and injustices occurred during aspects of the Oyo State primary.

According to him, the development raised expectations that the party’s national leadership would address the concerns and facilitate a fair reconciliation process involving aggrieved aspirants, their supporters and other stakeholders.

“As loyalists and supporters of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, we remain hopeful and resolute. We have confidence in God and in the wisdom of the national leadership of our great party to do what is right, just and honourable in the overall interest of the APC,” he said.

He urged media organisations and other platforms that reported Adelabu’s alleged withdrawal to retract, correct or clarify the reports.

Awogboro stressed that the former minister’s decision to remain calm and allow the party leadership to address the grievances should not be interpreted as an exit from the race.

“As our elders wisely say, ‘Ọmọ Ọba kì í jagun bí ẹrú’ — a prince does not fight like a slave,” he said.

According to him, Adelabu had consistently urged his supporters to maintain dignity and restraint despite perceived provocation and injustice.

“We have therefore chosen the path of restraint, without resorting to further aggressive agitation or confrontation, while keeping our hope alive that the national leadership of our party will take the honourable and appropriate steps necessary to correct the identified errors and injustices,” Awogboro added.

He said the approach was aimed at promoting justice and reconciliation, reducing tension within the party and restoring confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Awogboro maintained that a united APC would be better positioned to secure a “resounding and overwhelming victory” in Oyo State.