Presidency Rejects Reports That Adelabu Urged Nigerians to Reject APC

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The Presidency has dismissed reports alleging that former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu called on Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) nationwide, describing the claim as false information linked to an old audio recording.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, said Adelabu did not make a nationwide appeal against the ruling party. He accused the opposition of manipulating a recording from an earlier interview to misrepresent the former minister’s position.

Adelabu has also denied making the alleged statement, maintaining that his remarks during a 2022 interview were taken out of context.

Adelabu Says 2022 Interview Was Misrepresented

The controversy centres on an old recording of Adelabu speaking during an interview in 2022, when he was the Accord Party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State.

According to Adelabu’s media office, the remarks are being used to portray him as an opponent of the APC and President Bola Tinubu.

The former minister described the reports as false and misleading, disputing the interpretation being given to his earlier comments.

What the Presidency Said About the Alleged APC Rejection Call

Reacting to the reports in a social media post, Onanuga rejected the claim that Adelabu urged Nigerians to reject the APC nationwide.

He wrote:

“Adebayo Adelabu did not say Nigerians should reject the APC nationwide. The opposition is manipulating an old audio recording and spreading false information. A simple fact check should have cleared the air.”

The presidential aide’s response focused on the distinction between Adelabu’s remarks during the earlier interview and the nationwide appeal attributed to him in the circulating reports.

Adelabu’s Position on the APC

Despite the controversy, Adelabu’s media office maintained that the former power minister remained committed to the APC.

It also acknowledged disagreements surrounding the party’s governorship nomination process in Oyo State, while rejecting claims that Adelabu’s earlier remarks demonstrated opposition to the ruling party or the President.

The dispute therefore centres on how Adelabu’s 2022 comments have been interpreted, with the Presidency rejecting the reported nationwide appeal and the former minister insisting that his remarks were taken out of context.