Media aide to the Minister of Power, Bolaji Tunji, has faulted the argument made by former Minister of Communications, Barrister Bayo Shittu, regarding the acceptability of Chief Adebayo Adelabu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Oyo State in 2027.
Speaking with newsmen, Tunji said the Minister remains the best candidate among those who have shown interest in becoming Oyo State governor in 2027.
He stated that Barrister Shittu’s concerns regarding the APC’s political strategy are noted, but his assertion that the party would face challenges should Chief Adebayo Adelabu be its governorship candidate in 2027 overlooks the exemplary credentials and proven leadership of the current Minister of Power.
According to Tunji, Chief Adelabu is not merely a candidate to be “imposed”; he is a visionary leader whose brilliance, achievements, and pedigree make him a standout choice for any electoral contest.
Tunji, who also served as Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said that as Minister of Power, Adelabu has brought renewed vigor to Nigeria’s energy sector—spearheading critical reforms to improve grid stability, expand renewable energy investments, and enhance transparency in the sector.
His hands-on approach has already begun addressing longstanding challenges, earning him recognition as a pragmatic problem-solver committed to national development.
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“Under Adelabu’s watch as Minister, Nigeria achieved a historical landmark with an available generation capacity of 6,003 megawatts in less than two years.
“Meanwhile, it took over 40 years to move from 2,000 megawatts in the 1980s to an average of 4,000 megawatts in 2021.
“The Minister also achieved a record evacuation of 5,801 megawatts. All these show that Adelabu will perform exceptionally as Oyo State governor.”
Speaking further, Tunji noted that Adelabu’s governorship bid in 2019, though unsuccessful, demonstrated his dedication to public service and his deep connection to the aspirations of the people.
His campaigns were marked by a focus on infrastructure, education, and youth empowerment—priorities that remain urgent today.
“As for Barrister Shittu, though I respect him as an elder, his pedigree ranks him as a serial aspirant who would even contest against a member of his family.
“So, one should not set too much store by whatever he says. His electoral performance in recent times does not portray him as an aspirant with grassroots connection.
“How do you rate an aspirant who cannot win his ward or local government as a serious contender?
“Former Governor Ajimobi captured his essence when he dismissed his serial aspiration in 2019, saying: ‘He does not have the qualities to be a governor.
“I have been a governor now for seven years; I know the qualities of those who should be governor. (Barrister) Shittu does not have those qualities… I like people with style, I like people with decorum—he does not have it. His temperament cannot be that of a governor.’”
Tunji observed that Chief Adelabu has a rich political pedigree, hailing from a family with a heritage of public service. His grandfather, Adegoke Adelabu, was a revered nationalist and political icon.
Adelabu, he noted, embodies a legacy of leadership and community upliftment. This pedigree, combined with his personal accomplishments, positions him as a leader who understands the weight of history and the demands of progress.
“For the teeming APC family in Oyo State, Chief Adelabu’s candidacy would not be an imposition but a celebration of merit.
“His blend of technocratic competence, political experience, and passion for transformative governance makes him an asset to the APC and the people.
“Rather than courting trouble, the party would gain a candidate whose credentials inspire confidence and whose vision aligns with the needs of a dynamic electorate.
Adelabu’s brilliance and integrity are precisely what Nigeria needs to navigate the future,” Tunji said.