Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has pledged to give the Oke-Ogun 1 geopolitical zone of Oyo State better treatment if he secures the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket and wins the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking during a consultation meeting with APC leaders and stakeholders in Iseyin, the minister said the zone—which includes Iseyin, Kajola, Itesiwaju, and Iwajowa local governments—deserves more attention due to its vast agricultural potential and tourism assets.

Adelabu described Oke-Ogun as a region rich in resources but neglected, promising to prioritize its development and transform it into Nigeria’s food basket if elected governor.

“The zone will not be sidelined in my administration,” he said. “It will receive the attention it truly deserves.”

He said, “Ado Awaye, the only suspended lake in the world, will be fully utilise as tourist attractions center which can serve as source of revenue for the zone and Oyo State at large.

“We shall invest more in Aso Oke production and make it widely accepted, we will utilise the potential of Ikere Gorge Dam. Roads across this zone shall be look into to make it easier for farmers to transport their farm produce to town.

“We shall have more farm settlement and processing factories because there is no major farm settlement in Oke-Ogun.”

In his remarks at the event, former chairman of the Nigerians Communication Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande described the deliberation as impressive, saying members and leaders of the party from four local government of the zone were highly elated.

He said, “Adelabu told us about his ambition and also seeked for unity of the party. Our members are happy with the meeting, we are confident that by God’s grace, APC will take over Oyo State come 2027.

“There is always one winner, our analyses has shown that APC is a popular party in Oyo State going by previous elections. Each time we have division in the party, it paved way for the opposition party to win, but we are now united and confident that APC will take over Oyo State in 2027.”

Also, Adelabu, while meeting APC leaders and stakeholders from Ibadan outer cities geopolitical zones, which comprises Oluyole, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Lagelu, Akinyele and Ido local government said one of the reason he wanted to contested the governorship seat again in 2027 was to maximize vast potential of the state, adding that the state can still do better beyond it’s current stage.

He said, “We have God given resources, we have farm land, we have natural resources and we also have population to prove that indeed, Oyo state is the center of governance and politics in Southwest Nigeria.”

He stated that with unity, no party can beat APC in Oyo State, urging all members and leaders of APC to come together and become one single indivisible family ahead of the 2027 elections.

“This is continuation of my consultation meetings with Oyo State APC stakeholders to officially tell them my intention that I want to contest again the 2027 gubernatorial election under APC, to canvassed for their support and inspire reconciliation so as to bring APC in this state together as one.

“I’m impressed with turnout of leaders and stakeholders, all the groups came out as one. The presence of Hon. Akin Alabi and Hon. Lafioye representing Lagelu/Akinyele local government at the meeting showed our acceptance, support and that the party is back as one.”

In his remarks, the lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Alabi commended Adelabu for the consultation, saying Adelabu has set a pace for other contestants to follow.

He said, “Adelabu has led the way by showing workings. This is what we are expecting from others who also want to contest. Whoever want to contest must show workings, convince party leaders, it’s easy to say, I want to become governor, it easy to say, I’m the best man, but whatever the party says is party is supreme.”