Adelabu Absent as Top APC Leaders Attend Ajimobi Memorial; Intra-Party Tensions Boil Over Ahead of 2027

Prominent chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, including former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, Senators Abdulfatai Buhari and Yunus Akintunde, Ajimobi’s former deputy Moses Alake-Adeyemo, and former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, were present on Wednesday at the 5th Annual Fidau Prayers held in memory of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan.

However, conspicuously absent at the event was Minister of Power and 2019 APC governorship candidate, Oloye Adebayo Adelabu, a development that comes amidst rising internal unrest within the Oyo APC, following public backlash over a recent visit by some party executives to the minister’s residence

Addressing the gathering at the memorial, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, widow of the late governor, subtly acknowledged the growing cracks within the party and made a heartfelt appeal for reconciliation and collective purpose.

“Politics is about managing people and relationships,” she said. “My husband taught me that. We must learn to forgive, collaborate, and stay united if we truly want to honour his legacy and rebuild our party.”

Her remarks resonated with many attendees, especially against the backdrop of renewed agitation within the APC’s rank and file.

This publication understands that the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA), a vocal grassroots pressure group within the APC, has strongly criticised the party leadership for visiting Adelabu, calling the move a betrayal of loyal members who have remained committed despite years of setbacks.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Agboola Idris, the group described the visit as a “shameless display of opulence,” alleging it was more about showcasing Adelabu’s recently completed mansion, reportedly worth over ₦4 billion, than reconciling party differences.

“That visit was not about reconciliation. Instead of flaunting wealth, Adelabu should be apologising for his role in our repeated losses,” the statement said.

The group blamed Adelabu for contributing significantly to the party’s poor outings in the 2019 and 2023 elections, citing his alleged lack of grassroots support and weak leadership.

“He couldn’t even win his polling unit in both election cycles, yet he keeps blaming Ajimobi. How can someone who once campaigned against President Bola Tinubu now hold a ministerial position within the same party?” the group asked.

Similarly, two-time governorship aspirant and APC chieftain Akeem Agbaje has cautioned the party against repeating what he described as the “costly mistake” of 2023.

Agbaje alleged that a particular aspirant was already parading himself as the “anointed candidate” for the 2027 governorship race, claiming endorsement from the APC national leadership.

“This kind of arrogance is exactly why we lost in 2023. The party must not allow any form of imposition again,” he warned.

“The APC needs to listen to the people and choose a candidate they can rally behind, not one imposed by Abuja.”

He acknowledged the growing dissatisfaction with the PDP-led administration but warned that unless the APC put its house in order, it risked staying out of power in Oyo State for another decade.