Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria's Minister of Power, has unequivocally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State. Speaking at various engagements, Adelabu expressed a strong conviction that it is his destined turn to govern the state, famously echoing the Yoruba phrase “Emi lokan” (it’s my turn), a slogan popularized by President Bola Tinubu during his 2023 presidential campaign.

Adelabu emphasized that his political journey has been a long and arduous one, asserting that he has 'paid his dues' in the state's political landscape. He recounted his previous attempts to secure the governorship seat, stating, “Truly, I have been on this journey for so long. I believe you don’t get a position immediately you join politics. I have paid my dues. I ran against Seyi (Makinde) in 2019, and again in 2023. By that time he was already in power.”

His political trajectory includes resigning from his position as deputy governor, operations, at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on July 15, 2018, to pursue his 2019 governorship bid. He became the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for that election but ultimately lost to the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In the run-up to the 2023 elections, after losing the APC primary to Teslim Folarin, Adelabu defected to the Accord Party (AP), contesting the governorship on its platform following the withdrawal of Ayodele Oyajide. He again faced and lost to Governor Makinde.

Despite these setbacks, Adelabu's political career saw a significant turn when he was nominated by President Tinubu on July 27, 2023, as part of a 28-man ministerial list, subsequently being appointed Minister of Power on August 16, 2023. He returned to the APC in 2023, stating at the time that his return was not driven by personal ambition for 2027 but by a commitment to support the party that brought President Tinubu to power and help deliver on its electoral promises.

However, his recent declarations, captured in a viral video during a stakeholders’ engagement with APC leaders, clearly articulate his renewed governorship ambition. Speaking in Yoruba, he confidently proclaimed, “In 2027, God has shown that it’s my turn. Emi lokan o, Adelabu lo kan. What’s mine belongs to all of us. I’m telling you there’s a lot of hard work ahead. All party members have to be involved, one person cannot do it.” He further stressed that his aspiration is not fueled by selfish interests but by a desire to improve the lives of the people of Oyo State. Adelabu urged party leaders and supporters to join him in his struggle to 'retake the state' from the PDP, committing to lead a rigorous house-to-house campaign to achieve victory. “We will begin our door-to-door campaign in earnest, and by the grace of God and our collective efforts, victory is not only possible, it is certain,” he added.