As we approach the year preceding the elections, when campaigns shift into high gears and political activities begins in earnest – it is evident that some actors have sharpened their spears and are ready to deploy what is cynically termed “IBON OSELU'(Political guns) against perceived rivals.
Some school of thought cynically and humorously share the perspective that politics is all about manipulation and deceits, I believe His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has taken this literarily because nothing can better reflect this more than his recent outburst on the capacity of Chief Bayo Adelabu to organize the APC in Oyo State. That is far from the truth (deceit). It is to hoodwink the good people of Oyo State and malign the person of chief Adebayo Adelabu (manipulation).
To be candid, everyone is free to play politics according to their convictions. But in an age of information; where verifiable data is accessible to all, certain narratives can no longer masquerade as facts. The internet has revolutionized politics. Cheap propaganda collapses under scrutiny!
The assertion that the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, “doesn’t have the capacity” to organize the APC in Oyo State is a conclusion without evidence and a misreading of what true organizational capacity entails. Party organization is not about noise, posturing, or factional grandstanding; it is about systems, discipline, measurable outcomes, and the steady ability to coordinate competing interests toward a shared objective. On each of those counts, Adelabu’s profile and experience speak to competence, not deficiency.
First, let’s consider the nature of the portfolio he currently manages. The power sector is arguably one of Nigeria’s most complex ecosystems: it requires coordination across an independent regulator (NERC), multiple generation and distribution companies with divergent incentives, a transmission backbone in perpetual decline and in need of constant upgrade, volatile tariff politics, consumer protection concerns, union dynamics, and federal–state alignment. The ministerial seat is, by design, a crucible of crisis management, stakeholder convening, policy sequencing, and data-driven monitoring. These are precisely the skills required to organize a political party in a competitive environment—where factions must be harmonized, structures must be completed on time, data must be credible, and resources must be deployed with precision. To imply that someone who navigates such a portfolio lacks the “capacity” for party organization is to invert the logic of competence.
Oh! I forgot your excellency made this assertion just after Adelabu was made the minister. So, he must have learnt these skills on the job. My bad, abeg no vex, your excellency.
In that case, let’s dive into his antecedents before becoming the minister of power.
From data available for all online, Bayo Adelabu before his Ministerial appointment built a reputation in finance and corporate management, overseeing large teams, budgets, audits and compliance. Party organization is, at its core, disciplined project and people management – areas in which as you can see he has demonstratable experience.
His political journey, with its highs and lows – as your Excellency knows from experience -reveals focus, resillience, leadership and growth. These attributes, coupled with cross-party goodwill, explain both his current office and his rising support among stakeholders across the state.
To all APC members, Governor Seyi Makinde’s latest comments on Adelabu’s capacity is a futile attempt at discrediting the efforts that has gone into the reconciliation among all factions and a veiled attempt to further sow discord among all groups.
Adelabu brings distinctive advantages that are directly convertible into organizational gains. His convening power at the national level enables faster dispute resolution, better alignment with federal stakeholders, and stronger fundraising channels—all of which are pivotal in closing gaps before primaries and during general elections. His managerial background—marked by process discipline and consequence management—translates political intent into executable workplans and corrective actions. Moreover, he has the profile to attract professionals, technocrats, and youth who often sit out routine party work but are decisive in modern campaign operations, data collection, communications, and get-out-the-vote efforts. A party that wants to win cannot continue to neglect these constituencies.
The political dividend of a systems-first approach is stability and predictability—antidotes to the factional fatigue that has historically undermined Oyo APC. When roles are clear, timelines are enforced, data is credible, and logistics are transparent, grievances shrink, rumors lose oxygen, and energy shifts from internal disputes to external competition. The party gains coherence; candidates gain clarity; and voters perceive a serious organization instead of a quarrelsome Party. That transformation is not achieved by rhetoric; it is produced by operational discipline. It is neither glamorous nor theatrical, but it wins elections.
Your excellency, after you left that meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you only strengthened his resolve on Adelabu. He honored your skepticism without succumbing to your cynicism. He is a leader who understands that capacity need not be presumed; it can be designed and tested, and that is what Mr President has done over the last three years with Adelabu and Oyo APC. He supported us in building capacity and strengthening the party structure through genuine reconciliation.
Finally, we should be honest about what the debate is really about. If the goal is to secure victory and rebuild durable party machinery, then the only fair test is performance. A leader who can harmonize factions with enforceable agreements. The ministerial and executive experiences on Adelabu’s résumé suggest he can meet these tests. If your Excellency doubts doubts it, the solution is not to dismiss him outright but to set the record straight, publish your pre-governorship credentials and capacity for all to compare.
In sum, declaring that Bayo Adelabu lacks the capacity to organize APC in Oyo State is an argument built on perception rather than performance. A sober, metrics-driven assessment points in the opposite direction: his experience aligns with the demands of the task, his network expands the party’s organizing toolkit, and a systems-based mandate can convert his competencies into concrete results. Capacity, in politics as in governance, is not a slogan—it is delivered in party cohesion, issue based campaign and electoral victories.
Gboyega Ayoade ( ARA)
