Adelabu Denies Asking Nigerians to Reject APC, Blames Viral Video on Misrepresentation

Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has denied calling on Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing a viral report making the claim as false and misleading.

Adelabu’s media office, in a statement issued, said the video circulating on social media was an excerpt from an interview he granted in 2022 when he was the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo State.

The statement accused those sharing the video of taking his remarks out of context to portray him as disloyal to the APC and President Bola Tinubu.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the video being circulated is an excerpt from an interview Adelabu granted in 2022,” the statement said.

It explained that Adelabu had expressed the view during the interview that political parties had disappointed Nigerians and that voters should focus on the credibility and character of individual candidates.

According to the media office, the remarks reflected the political circumstances of 2022 and were not a call to reject the APC or oppose Tinubu’s presidency.

The statement further maintained that Adelabu remained committed to the APC despite controversies surrounding the party’s governorship nomination process in Oyo State.

It alleged that the nomination process was marred by the imposition of a preferred aspirant and the failure to transparently release the primary election results.

“His position has been consistent: loyalty does not preclude the demand for fairness, transparency and adherence to democratic principles,” the statement said.

Adelabu’s media office argued that his demand for transparency in the party’s internal processes should not be interpreted as disloyalty or opposition to the APC.

It added that Adelabu had repeatedly maintained that his political ambition was not a do-or-die affair and that he had no intention of leaving the party.

The statement also dismissed suggestions of a breakdown in relations between Adelabu and Tinubu, describing their relationship as one founded on mutual respect, trust and affection.

It said Adelabu had neither renounced his loyalty to the President nor called on Nigerians to reject the ruling party.

“No genuine son would deliberately work against the interests of a father and benefactor to whom he remains grateful,” the statement added.

The media office challenged those circulating the video to release the full interview rather than rely on selected portions of the recording.

It also claimed that Adelabu had not granted any media interview since the conclusion of the controversial APC governorship nomination process in Oyo State in which he made the alleged statement.

The statement urged the public, APC members and media organisations to verify information before sharing it, warning against the spread of claims that could create divisions within the party.