- Safiu Kehinde
Former Minister of Power and Oyo governorship aspirant, Adebayo Adelabu, has, alongside his supporters, accused the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abdulrasheed Ladoja, of persistently causing the defeat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in past elections in the state.
Adelabu maintained that the APC had only been chased out of power twice since 1999 which include during the 2003 and 2019 elections.
The ex-Minister made this known during his address to his supporters on Saturday.
While directly avoiding mentioning Ladoja, his supporters however echoed the Olubadan’s name when Adelabu asked them who was responsible for the defeat of the APC at both elections, particularly the 2019 election where he emerged as the party’s candidate.
“From 1999 till now, the Progressives have been chased out of power twice. 2003 and 2019. Who was responsible for it in 2003? I didn’t mention names.” He said as his supporters echoed Ladoja’s name.
Adelabu recalled that the APC was in 2019 keen on winning the election as the party had three Senators and 10 House of Representatives members at its disposal.
He however cited the Olubadan’s alleged coalition with the opposition candidates as reason behind the APC’s defeat.
“”In 2019 when I came out, how many Senators did we have? Two out of three. It was only Ajimobi that did not enter. How many House of Reps did we have? 10 out of 14.
“If we used that for governorship election, won’t we win? But they said no, Progressives must not win.
“They then went to do a coalition with Seyi for PDP and my brother for Zenith Labour Party, Lanleyin, ADC; Bolaji Ayorinde, SDP. Then someone stood at the frontline and brought them together.” He said.
The ex-minister thereafter charged the supporters not to allow the Olubadan decide for them again this time.
“They made us suffer or not? Who are those who led us to where we are today? Are they the ones that will be deciding for us again now?
“It can’t happen again this time. For what one is doing is good, he won’t do it in secret.” He added.