Tongues Wag over Bayo Adelabu’s Political Career

If the former top shot  of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bayo Adelabu, had listened to wise counsel, maybe he would have had a rethink about venturing into the murky waters of Nigeria’s politics.

It was gathered that the respected banker did not heed the advice of his friends and family members who discouraged him from venturing into the dangerous waters of politics. But he now knows better, as the Oyo State-born banker’s dream of becoming the state’s governor evaporated before his very eyes. 

Society Watch gathered that although a successful banker and deputy governor of CBN, Adelabu’s path was laced with roses in his banking career. But he dumped it for his ambition as the number one job of his state.

Adelabu got his finger burnt in 2019 when he contested under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite the backing of the then incumbent governor, the late Abiola Ajimobi. He received his baptism of fire after he was pummelled by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde.

Typical of ambitious and incurable politicians, he came back with high hopes for the 2023 election. He campaigned vigorously, but after realising that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for him to secure the ticket of APC, he left the party for Accord Party. Though many described his action as political suicide, the grandson of the late Adegoke Adelabu spent money on what our source likened to ‘a drunken sailor’. Unsurprisingly, he once again suffered a heavy defeat. He has since recoiled back into his cocoon.

Where is Bayo Adelabu? This seems to be the often-repeated question on the lips of many who have been watching the unfolding development in the nation’s political scene with keen interest.