Findings by Saturday PUNCH indicated that Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to contest the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During an engagement with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in Lagos towards the end of last year, Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, hinted that he would love to achieve some feats ‘before I leave office’.
In a trending video last October, the minister formally declared his intention to run for ggovernorship recalling how he lost to Makinde in 2019 and 2023.
‘I have now paid my dues. I contested against Seyi (Makinde) in 2019. In 2023, I also contested against Seyi, then as the sitting governor. But in 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn. It’s Adelabu’s turn. Anything that belongs to Adelabu belongs to us all’, he said.
An aide of the minister, Mr. Femi Awogboro confirmed to Saturday PUNCH his boss’ intention to contest, adding that President Bola Tinubu had yet to direct Adelabu to resign his appointment for his governorship ambition.
‘As of now, the President has not told Adelabu to resign as minister. Only the President can tell him to resign and until that, Adelabu continues to perform his functions, but he is definitely contesting for Oyo governorship seat’, he said.
However, the Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of the APC, Mr. Olawale Sadare said that no aspirant had declared interest in the 2027 elections because the party had not opened the process for such moves.
He explained that the party would provide a level playing field for interested members once the appropriate time arrived.
For Bauchi State, Pate, who hails from Mainari village in Ajili Ward of Misau Local Government Area, previously contested the governorship position.
Bis governorship ambition dates back to 2015 when he indicated an interest in contesting for the governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He contested the governorship seat in 2019 under the Peoples Redemption Party after suffering a defeat at the APC primary.
In 2023, Pate also failed to pick up the APC governorship ticket.
His recent political engagements, particularly initiatives centred on youth employment and empowerment across parts of the state, have intensified talks that he may be preparing to rejoin the governorship race.
The Coordinator of Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, Ibrahim Abdulhamid said that, although it was not yet official, indications suggested that Pate had agreed to participate in the governorship race following pressure from supporters.
Abdulhamid explained that a group of the state indigenes, who believed in his leadership capacity, visited him in Abuja to encourage him to join the contest.
He said: ‘A team from Bauchi that has faith in his capabilities went all the way to Abuja and sought his participation in the gubernatorial contest and he has accepted the contest’.
Tuggar, who hails from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, is also believed to be eyeing the governorship seat.
Tuggar, who previously contested the position, is said to have sustained political activities across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir confirmed Tuggar’s intention to contest for the state governorship seat.
‘The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State’, Abdulkadir told Saturday PUNCH.
Both Pate and Tuggar were sighted at the state APC convention held last Tuesday, further fueling speculations about their political ambition.
Onyejeocha had spent 16 years (2007–2023) as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi constituency of Abia State.
A top credible source told Saturday PUNCH that the Abia State indigene was planning to return to the National Assembly.
‘She was elected four times into the House of Representatives and she wants to go back’, the source said.
In Oyo State on Friday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Sulaimon Olarenwaju said that his principal has directed the aspirants to pursue their ambitions on the platform of the PDP.
Makinde said that such aspirants could count on his support as long as their loyalty and commitment remained with the people and the development of the state.
He noted that the directive became necessary following claims that he had not given clearance to aspirants seeking political offices, especially those serving in his administration, despite the election timetable having been released by the INEC.
Makinde said: have read on social media that I have not given the go-ahead to political appointees who have ambitions to hold different political offices, including the governorship seat.
‘So, henceforth, you are free. Whoever wants to contest for any position should bring out their billboards. And those of you who are bothered about the PDP crisis, add the party’s logo to the billboard, nothing will happen’.
