Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu
The media office of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo A. Adelabu, has dismissed a viral report claiming that he asked Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the allegation as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, Adelabu’s media office said the report was based on the manipulation of an old audio recording and was aimed at creating tension between him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC leadership.
The statement urged Nigerians to disregard the report, insisting that Adelabu has remained committed to the APC and loyal to President Tinubu.
“This report is entirely false, misleading and maliciously intended to discredit Chief Adelabu, undermine his loyalty to the APC and, perhaps, create unnecessary friction between him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the party,” the statement said.
The clarification followed the circulation of a video clip on social media, which some users claimed showed Adelabu asking Nigerians to reject the APC.
However, his media office explained that the video was an excerpt from a 2022 interview he granted while he was the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo State.
According to the statement, Adelabu’s comments at the time were about the need for voters to consider the credibility and character of candidates rather than simply focusing on political party names.
It said the comments were made during the 2022 political environment and were not a call for Nigerians to reject the APC or oppose President Tinubu’s administration.
The statement challenged those sharing the video to release the full interview instead of using selected portions to create a misleading impression.
“We challenge those circulating the video to publish the full interview, unedited, rather than selectively extracting statements and presenting them out of context to advance a malicious political narrative,” it stated.
Adelabu’s media office also recalled that he served as Minister of Power under the APC-led Federal Government, where he worked on reforms aimed at improving the country’s electricity sector.
It said he left office voluntarily to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State after the APC nomination process generated controversies among party stakeholders.
The statement noted that despite his concerns over the party’s internal processes, Adelabu has repeatedly maintained that he would remain in the APC.
“His position has been consistent: loyalty does not preclude the demand for fairness, transparency and adherence to democratic principles,” the statement added.
The former minister’s office said his call for transparency in party affairs should not be interpreted as disloyalty or opposition to the APC.
It further described Adelabu’s relationship with President Tinubu as longstanding and based on mutual respect and trust.
“No amount of falsehood can change Adelabu’s political convictions, rewrite his record of loyalty or manufacture enmity between him and Mr President,” the statement said.
The media office advised members of the public, political supporters and journalists to verify information before sharing it, especially during the build-up to future elections.
It maintained that Adelabu remains committed to the APC and supportive of the party’s objectives, while insisting that the viral report was a deliberate attempt to create controversy.
