The backlash trailing the engagement between the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Team last Friday has sparked heated debates across Oyo State’s political landscape.
What many have described as an act of “generational ruin” has left the self-styled APC leader grappling with criticism, trolling, and outright rejection even within the party he poached himself as new leader.
At the heart of the uproar lies the public presentation of a ₦12.5 million cheque to the APC Media Team. Though sizeable at face value, its sharing among a large number of young party loyalists reduced the gesture to mere tokenism. More damaging was the spectacle of its presentation, which to many smacked of insensitivity and transactional politics.
The lesson here is simple: leadership demands tact, strategy, and respect for human dignity, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. For Chief Adelabu—twice a governorship candidate under APC (2019) and Accord (2023)—this episode underlines an urgent need for political education and reorientation.
Politics is not about grandstanding; it is about building trust, fostering inclusion, and demonstrating humility in leadership. Achieving these will give organic political growth that will stand the test of time and mirror the real person chasing political power having acquired economic power to achieve his ultimate goals.
Ironically, his supposed “Greek gift” has rekindled resentment within the APC, complicating his already delicate image-repair project. Party faithful still recall his public outbursts during his Accord sojourn, where he lambasted APC members with derogatory labels, including “terrorists.” Such indiscretions continue to haunt his reintegration bid and cast doubt on the sincerity of his new-found loyalty. The moral lessons here — caution your tongue even when you have economic power laced with self entitlement to achieve your political goals and it doesn’t work out.
Rather than handing out token donations, what APC members—and indeed the people of Oyo State—expected was a genuine apology for past missteps, coupled with a commitment to reconciliation. Instead, some of his ardent supporters newly recruited E-Tigers as observed by opposition, described in some quarters as “incarcerated elements,” they have chosen to stir division, worsening both his public standing and his political prospects. Who knows if that was the instruction they received in their inner circle.
Beyond this incident lies a bigger question: What kind of leader is Chief Adelabu? His leadership style so far reflects a transactional mindset—buying loyalty with short-term gestures, while avoiding the harder task of building sustainable legacies.
Where are the protégés he has groomed from 2019 and beyond? Are they doing well? How many of them can he point to climbing leadership roles in various sectors? What impact did he make in their lives?
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How many youth has he empowered from Oke-Oluokun, Oke-Adu and across Ibadan land? As a holder of Ibadan title, how many has he assisted from grassroots to higher platforms of influence? Beyond Chief Adelabu’s personal ambition, what enduring structures has he built for Oyo State? Why is Skill Acquisition Centre built in Oke-Adu still under lock and not serving its purpose?
No doubt, Chief Adelabu has investments scattered across the state. But many of these businesses, once promising, now appear unsustainable, with few shut down and others struggling for patronage. Is Chief Adelabu sacrificing everything he builds over years for his overall political ambitions? What message is Chief Adelabu sending If his leadership model could not keep his enterprises thriving, can it be entrusted with the future of Oyo State? President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s business empire keeps growing each time he aspire to lead, what lessons has Chief Adelabu draw from progressive leader?
Now, the APC in Oyo State faces a defining choice. Will it continue down the path of transactional leadership—short-sighted, token-driven, and self-serving? Or will it embrace transformational leadership—visionary, empowering, and inclusive enough to carry all stakeholders along?
The task ahead for Chief Adelabu goes beyond singing Emilokan at every available opportunity, one can pay dues and learn from it, the mantra has gone with 2023 general elections. Each election circle comes with its own unique mantra.
Chief Adelabu still have opportunity before party primaries, 2027 general elections and rewrite his name with real empowerment for people around him and generality of people in Oyo State. However, he needs to be circumspect of when, how and how to speak in public. He is a public figure, unnecessary utterances should be avoided like the one credited to him during Ibadan North federal constituency bye-election.
As 2027 approaches, the ball is firmly in the court of Oyo APC. The decision it makes today will not only determine Adelabu’s political fate but also shape the destiny of Oyo State for years to come.
