As different factions of Bayo Adelabu’s political structure appear to be taking divergent positions ahead of 2027, questions are mounting over the former minister’s political future and his governorship ambition.
In the past few days and weeks, there has been so much talk about the camp of the immediate past Minister of Power, Oloye Bayo Adelabu. His political camp is being auctioned by an unknown auctioneer, not Adelabu himself, nor his close aides. From his Adelabu Mandate Media Group to his local base in Ibadan South East, to the gallant Boye Nation Movement, and to his statewide structure led by one of the Ibadan North Local Government apex leaders, Alhaji Wale Sanusi, the house appears to be gradually coming apart.
As someone who has had a close relationship with the Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadanland, part of the pioneers of his gubernatorial ambition drive, I am not happy seeing the house built with years of commitment and sacrifice crumbling in his face. The house that started under the name #TeamPenkelemesi, with so much energy, is unconsciously breaking into irreparable parts, while Adelabu appears helpless in holding the base and the entire structure together, more than his livable “Beautiful White House.”
With much disdain, I watch how the Adelabu Mandate Media Group is being balkanised by those who care not about the continuity of the Adelabu project. But I retrace that thinking myself and ask: do they truly no longer care, or is the journey of Adelabu’s Agodi Government House ambition already dying.
It is sad that the heavy investment is not yielding the exact dream, but something else. Yes, something else: the Minister of Power position. An office that technically contributed to his political woes, and leading to his gubernatorial ambition somersault.
I watched carefully how a part of the Adelabu Mandate Media Group pledged loyalty to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State and to the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, for the 2027 general elections, while the other part continued to gallivant on its resolution to keep respecting and honouring its loyalty to Adelabu, with a heavy press statement denouncing and disbanding those shifting their tent to the APC and the Alli project. And seeing his immediate Special Adviser on Communications while serving as Minister of Power making the list of Sen. Sharafadeen Alli’s media directors is actually very funny. Of course, they have their own life to live. But sadly, this is one of the person through which Adelabu throws his loyal media guys under the bus upon his assumption of office as Minister.
Meanwhile, in Ibadan South East, Adelabu’s ancestral local government, stakeholders and members resolved to cut their loyalty from the former CBN Deputy Governor and sided with the party and its candidates as it affects the local government. Ibadan South East is where his grandfather, the late Hon. Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi, The Great Lion of the West, made his political mark and registered his name till eternity in history.
Away from that is the matter of BOYE NATION, a sub-group also extracted from Adelabu’s entire structure and managed by his Personal Assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade Akande, popularly known as Aji. One thing we should know and note here is the gallantry style of the movement. They are rugged, bold, mighty, gallant, vocal, street, and what else? I don’t know. As fixed, this September, the Boye Nation Concert is scheduled to rock the political boat of Oyo State. The movement is a threat and a minus for the APC in one way; a way not yet identified. And sadly, they are pledging their loyalty to APM and Bimbo Adekanmbi’s gubernatorial ambition.
Just like another statewide consultation featuring Alhaji Wale Sanusi and other 33 local government representatives pledging their support for Bimbo Adekanmbi and openly parting ways with the APC.
Where is Adelabu in all these?
Like earlier said, he is helpless and overwhelmed. How many of the groups does he want to talk to and hold down? I learn, authoritatively, that he is not consenting to all these open auctions of his political camp. He is not relenting in rooting for the re-election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President for a second term, but he is so much and openly detached from the state gubernatorial and House of Assembly affairs of the party in his state. The question is, does he want to put his followers in limbo and deny them the opportunity to actively play the game of 2027 fully? I think he has no such powers, and that is why he has remained silent in talking for or against all the drama in his camp. But Adelabu is not happy with the happenings.
But as an experienced banker and administrator he is, I think he has glaringly seen that he cannot continue to invest in a journey that continues to mess with his mental health and deflate his ego.
But a question still remains unanswered to me, is Bayo Adelabu’s gubernatorial ambition still alive?
Akintunde Yusuf is my name.
