The Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has refuted claims circulating in a viral video suggesting he referred to APC women as beggars. According to a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Femi Awogboro, the Minister’s remarks were taken out of context and misrepresented by individuals seeking political advantage.
Mr. Awogboro clarified that the Minister’s comments were directed at a specific group of women who accompanied the Minister, in his entourage to a recent campaign event. These women had been assigned to engage in direct grassroots mobilization at Bodija Market from shop to shop. However, upon arrival at the campaign ground, some of them became distracted, seeking financial handouts from the Minister’s associates rather than proceeding with their assignment. In response, the Minister admonished them directly, questioning whether their objective was to campaign as agreed or merely to collect money.
“It is important to note that if the full video were played, it would show that the Minister, after his initial remarks, assured the women that he would provide them with financial support and urged them to carry out their assigned task,” the statement read.
Mr. Awogboro emphasized that Chief Adelabu holds the women of the APC and all wome for that matter, in the highest regard and would never make derogatory remarks about them. Over the years, the Minister has consistently supported APC women amd the general public through various empowerment initiatives, including business grants, cost-of-living support for widows, and financial assistance for families of fallen police officers, particularly during the post-EndSARS period.
In a personal reflection, Chief Adelabu stated:
“Those who know my background understand that I was raised solely by my mother and grandmother after I lost my father at the age of four. I have the utmost respect for women and would never speak ill of them, regardless of their status. Whatever I have achieved today is due to their sacrifices, my own perseverance, and God’s grace. I have always lived a modest life and related with everyone—regardless of age, status, or education—with humility and respect. Attempts to distort this truth for political purposes will not succeed. God’s purpose for my life cannot be altered by human mischief.”
He urged party members and the general public to disregard the misinterpretation being circulated, describing it as an attempt by political opponents to smear the Minister’s reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Minister remains focused on his commitment to empowering women and uplifting the lives of the people of Oyo State. Several new support programs targeting women and the broader public are currently in development and will be rolled out in the coming months,” Mr. Awogboro stated.
He further challenged those behind the false narrative to release the unedited footage of the event to allow the public to assess the Minister’s comments in their proper context. I’m also aware of the public and private apologies made by some of those spreading the negative narratives. Their apologies are accepted but they need to desist from such act in the future as it portends a great danger to our nascent democracy. others are also enjoin to restate the truth and publicly apologise.
Concluding, Mr. Awogboro reiterated that no amount of political mischief will deter Chief Adelabu from his mission to serve the people of Oyo State. He urged political actors to move away from divisive rhetoric and instead embrace issue-based politics as the state approaches the 2027 elections.
