Adelabu Disqualified from Oyo APC Governorship Race

With less than three days remaining until the Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary election, the race has been hit by a major controversy. The party’s screening committee has allegedly disqualified the former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, from contesting the ticket for the 2027 governorship race.

Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was reportedly disqualified based on findings in a report submitted to the party leadership after the screening exercise. Sources within the party indicate that the financial expert allegedly failed to meet the specific standards set by the screening committee, a move the party claims was necessary to avoid post-election litigations in 2027. However, external political observers suggest the disqualification may be a strategic move to clear the path for the party's anointed choice.

The list of disqualified aspirants is expected to be officially released within 48 hours of the primary. Despite the setback, senior party members have noted that Adelabu still has a window to salvage his ambition. He retains the right to approach the APC appeal committee to challenge the screening outcome, argue his case, and rectify any discovered flaws before the primary voting officially commences.

Just four days ago, a large crowd of Adelabu's supporters staged a protest at the Oyo APC secretariat in Ibadan, demanding that the party ditch the consensus model in favor of direct primaries. Meanwhile, the screening committee has allegedly cleared Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who was formally adopted and reaffirmed as the party's consensus candidate during a members' meeting in Ibadan last month.

Adelabu had only resigned his ministerial appointment last month to dedicate himself fully to his "Rebirth Agenda" for Oyo State. With the primary just days away, all eyes are now on the appeal committee to see if the former CBN deputy governor will be cleared to contest against Alli.

Do you think the appeal committee will reverse the disqualification of Adebayo Adelabu, or is the Oyo APC ticket firmly locked in for Sharafadeen Alli? Please drop your comments below!

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