‘Capacity Comments’: You’re A Product of Chance, Not Competence — Adelabu Replies Makinde, as Power Minister, Meets Hallelujah’s Group, Celebrates Yuletide

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, on Friday launched a blistering counter-attack on Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, branding him an opportunistic politician who lacks the intellectual depth, professional standing, and leadership capacity to measure up to serious governance standards.

Adelabu made the remarks while meeting with the political group of Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola (Hallelujah), a coalition of grassroots leaders and mobilisers drawn from 11 local governments across Ibadanland, who formally declared their exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking confidently, Adelabu dismissed Makinde’s political rise as a product of circumstance rather than competence, arguing that leadership earned by accident often exposes its own weaknesses in conduct and delivery.

“With all senses of modesty, if I had not deliberately chosen to step down from higher personal and professional pursuits to give back to society, Makinde would not come near me in any standard, be it financially, academically, or administratively,” Adelabu declared.

“Before he became governor, I had already climbed ladders he has never approached. Leadership is not noise; it is capacity.”

Adelabu further criticised Makinde’s public attitude, describing it as unbecoming of someone privileged to govern a historic state like Oyo, adding that the governor’s utterances show a man who fails to recognise divine grace and the responsibility that comes with power.

“Anyone who truly understands governance appreciates God first. When gratitude is absent, arrogance takes over — and the results are clear for all to see,” Adelabu added.

The Power Minister also declared that the PDP in Oyo State is politically exhausted and morally bankrupt, insisting that no serious-minded politician with a future vision would remain trapped in the party.

Adelabu praised members of the Hallelujah Group for what he described as a bold and timely decision, assuring them of full integration, equal rights, and political relevance within the APC.

“There will be no spectators in APC and my camp,” Adelabu said while reiterating that “every committed member will be part of governance and enjoy the true dividends of democracy.”

Speaking for the group, Hon. Dauda Adejare Lawal of Ibadan North Local Government said Makinde is a bundle of disappointment. He, however, commended Adelabu’s resilience and performance in the power sector despite decades of systemic decay.

Lawal said the group’s confidence in Adelabu was rooted in his family background, exposure, competence, and proven administrative strength, expressing certainty that he would outperform the current leadership in Oyo State.

“We left PDP because Governor Makinde lacks the capacity to lead effectively,” Lawal said bluntly.

“What we see today is a bundle of disappointments — broken promises, weak opposition tolerance, and questionable asset handling.”

He urged the APC to step up aggressively as an opposition, accusing the Makinde administration of recklessly disposing of Ibadan lands and public properties, citing projects such as the Trans Amusement Park and others as examples.

The meeting featured representatives of the Hallelujah Group from across Ibadanland, including Hon. Suiab Yusuf (Agba-Egbe), Mr Mustapha Adebayo (Ibadan North), Hon. Kola Adediran (Ibadan North East), Hon. Adeniran Adetunji (Ibadan North West), Hon. Dauda Adejare Lawal (Ibadan North), Hon. Lizzy Samson (Ibadan South West), Hon. Shuaib Yusuf Agba Egbe (Ibadan North), Idayat Bashiru (Akinyele LG), Ismailia Adisa (Ona Ara LG), Hon. Yinka Oladimeji (Ibadan North), Hon. Olukunle Oloyede (Ibadan South West), Hon. Adeyemi Sikiru (Ona Ara LG), Hon. Wahab Anifat Omolara (Ibadan South East), and Hon. Adewale Jimoh (Akinyele LG)., Hon. Mumini Adisa (Ona Ara LG), Alhaja Balogun (Ibadan North West), Akintomide Tunji (Akinyele LG), Hon. Adeniji Sanusi (Oluyole LG), Adejuwon Ademola (Ibadan North West), Adeoye Oyinlade (Akinyele LG), Hon. Jelili Salami (Egbeda LG), Bello Adekunle (Lagelu LG), Olabode Oladipo (Ido LG), Mathew Grace (Akinyele LG), Hon. Adetayo Aderinto (Lagelu LG), Oladimeji Isiaka (Ona Ara LG), Mrs Olamiji (Ibadan North), Hon. Akeem Egbende (Ibadan North), Alh. Mariam M. Aliyu (Ibadan North West), Moradeyo Sikiru (Ona Ara LG), Isiaka Ogunsola (Egbeda LG), Odetola Olutade (Lagelu LG), Opawunmi Akinbola (Ibadan North), Hon. Toyin Adeniran (Egbeda LG), Oluwo Ayansina Sheriff (Ibadan North), Oladejo Mariam (Egbeda LG), Olaide Adedeji (Ibadan South East), Akintunde Taiwo (Lagelu LG), Isaiah Ogundele (Egbeda LG),

Owoseni Ibrahim (Ibadan North), Olabode Dasola (Lagelu LG), Ishola Latifat (Egbeda LG), Hon. Adetona Rotimi (Ibadan North West), and Hon. Bolarinwa Taiwo (Ibadan North Local Government). north local government underscoring the group’s broad grassroots reach