Adelabu denies rift with Tinubu, says viral report is false

Media Office of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo A. Adelabu, has dismissed a viral report alleging that he called on Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claim as false and misleading.

In a press statement on the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga’s X account yesterday, the media office said the video being circulated was an excerpt from an interview Adelabu granted in 2022, when he was the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo State.

According to the statement, Adelabu’s comments during the interview concerned public dissatisfaction with political parties and the need for voters to consider the credibility and character of individual candidates.

It maintained that the remarks were made in the context of the political environment at the time and should not be interpreted as a call for Nigerians to reject the APC or oppose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The media office accused those circulating the video of taking his comments out of context to create the impression that he had abandoned the ruling party or fallen out with the President.

It urged those sharing the clip to publish the full, unedited interview to enable the public to understand the context of his remarks.
The statement further maintained that Adelabu had remained committed to the APC despite controversies surrounding the party’s governorship nomination process in Oyo State.

It noted that the former minister had expressed concerns about transparency in the process but insisted that his grievances should not be interpreted as disloyalty to the party.

“His position has been consistent: loyalty does not preclude the demand for fairness, transparency and adherence to democratic principles,” the statement said.

The media office also addressed speculation about a possible rift between Adelabu and Tinubu, describing their relationship as longstanding and based on mutual respect and trust.

It said Adelabu had neither renounced his loyalty to the President nor authorised any statement calling on Nigerians to reject the APC.

The statement further claimed that Adelabu had not granted any media interview, making the alleged remarks since the conclusion of the disputed governorship nomination process in Oyo State.

It therefore urged APC members, the media and the general public to verify information before sharing it and to rely on authentic statements from Adelabu or his authorised representatives.

The media office maintained that the former minister remained committed to the APC and supportive of the party’s broader political objectives, adding that calls for internal democracy should not be construed as opposition to its leadership.