Six APC governorship aspirants rejected the candidate endorsed by the party’s critical stakeholders.
He said his decision was driven by performance, service and measurable achievements.
Mr Adebayo was elected and affirmed as the consensus candidate by the delegates from the 36 states and the FCT.
He said early mobilisation would strengthen the party’s support base.
“They change their principle to stay in a party, we change because we want an opportunity to build a new Nigeria,” he said.
He said the country needed both a strong ruling party and a vibrant opposition.
He said the party would prioritise leadership over ethnicity and religion.
The governorship primary election is scheduled for May 21.
“It is only through continued unity that the people of the state can continue to reap the benefits of the administration,” he said.
They cited an unresolved crisis at the national level of the PDP as a reason for leaving.
