The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has explained the reasons behind his return to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Accord Party.

Adelabu had, in May 2022, left the APC to join Accord Party after failing to secure the governorship ticket of the party ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Oyo State.

Speaking at the APC secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday, December 15, the minister said his return to the ruling party was not about succeeding Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027.

The minister, while addressing APC members, said he and others who left the party with him had returned to the party to make it stronger.

He stated that they had earlier left the party based on principle, and not because they had problems with the APC in the state or with party members.

READ ALSO: Adelabu to Nigerians: Expect stable, accessible power

Adelabu said: “I returned not because of 2027 governorship ambition or to take over the party, but because I believe this is a party that brought President Bola Tinubu to power and we need to support him to deliver on his electoral promises.

“This is not time for politics, it is time for governance and Tinubu needs our support for him to succeed and deliver on his Renewed Hope agenda.

“I have come back to the party not to take over the party and not to dissolve executives; we have come to the party to extend hands of fellowship and reconciliation.

“We are assuring you that we are back for cooperation and collaboration for us to build a strong party so that the party will take over power in the state at the end of the day in 2027.”

In his remarks, the APC Chairman in Oyo State, Isaac Omodewu, who was represented by the Party Secretary, Tajudeen Olanike, said the party was open for reconciliation and was ready to listen to all aggrieved members to build a stronger party.

The Star