Perhaps Nigeria’s most controversial official in the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, has declared his intention to run for the governorship Oyo State come 2027.
In a video making the rounds, the Minister spoke in Yoruba and reminded the audience of his previous gubernatorial efforts.
His era has seen controversial and hated electricity tariff hikes.
Adelabu, seeking the nomination of the country’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), made his declaration with his boss’s political phrase, “Emi Lokan,” a Yoruba statement translating to “it is my turn.”
He said: “I have paid my dues. I contested alongside Seyi Makinde in 2019 and again in 2023….
“Today, I declare: it is our turn, it is my turn in 2027, as God has revealed it. Adelabu! Àwálòkàn! Penkelemesi Èmilòkàn. We will begin our door-to-door campaign in earnest, and by the grace of God and our collective efforts, victory is not only possible, it is certain.”
The “Emi Lokan” phrase was popularised towards the 2023 in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s quest to lead the world’s largest black nation.
Chanting the slogan, the Minister dismissed notions that his ambition is driven by personal or selfish interests.
According to him, the primary motivation for the office arose from his unwavering aspiration to improve the lives and conditions of the people of Oyo State.
Adelabu drew on his extensive political experience, noting the patience and persistence required in the pursuit of political goals.
“I have been on this political journey for quite some time. In politics, I have learned that one may not always get what one deserves in a single attempt; life and politics have both taught me this lesson,” he stated.
