IBADAN — The camp of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, a leading aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 election, has dismissed reports alleging that he is planning to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), describing the claim as false, baseless and politically motivated.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, Adelabu’s camp said the rumour was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and distract the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from his political aspirations.

The statement stressed that Adelabu remains a loyal and committed member of the APC and has neither contemplated nor initiated any move to join the SDP.

“Our attention has been drawn to a false and mischievous rumour circulating on social media alleging that Chief Adebayo Adelabu is planning to defect to the Social Democratic Party. We categorically state that this claim is entirely false, baseless and exists only in the imagination of its promoters,” the statement said.

According to Awogboro, the APC governorship primary process has not been concluded, making any speculation about Adelabu leaving the party premature and unfounded.
He maintained that Adelabu’s political journey has never been driven by desperation, noting that the former CBN deputy governor has distinguished himself in both public and private service and has no reason to engage in what he described as political manoeuvring.

The statement further described suggestions that Adelabu was considering leaving the APC as “insulting and ridiculous,” arguing that the rumour was being propagated by political actors seeking relevance through association with the APC chieftain’s growing popularity.
Awogboro urged those behind the claim to focus on promoting their own political credentials and programmes instead of dragging Adelabu into what he termed needless controversy.

He warned that continued circulation of the allegation could attract legal consequences, disclosing that Adelabu’s legal team had commenced a review of the matter.
“Our legal team is reviewing the matter, and all legal options remain open. Should this falsehood persist, appropriate legal action will be taken against those responsible,” the statement added.

The media aide said Adelabu remains focused on his vision for Oyo State and would not be distracted by what he described as political mischief and propaganda.
The rebuttal followed allegations earlier made by the media office of the Social Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Saheed Oladele, which claimed that Adelabu was making attempts to secure the SDP governorship ticket through the back door after allegedly losing out in the APC governorship race.

The SDP camp had suggested that Adelabu was exploring alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 governorship election, a claim now strongly denied by the APC aspirant’s media team.

The exchange marks the latest development in the intensifying political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Oyo State, with aspirants and political stakeholders positioning themselves for what is expected to be a keenly contested race.