Nigeria’s minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, has declined to confirm whether he will step down from his position to contest the Oyo State governorship election.
Adelabu had earlier, in October 2025, announced his intention to run in the 2027 gubernatorial race in the south-west state, joining a growing list of political appointees preparing for elective offices ahead of the polls.
On March 17, Bola Tinubu directed all political appointees seeking elective positions in 2027 to resign on or before March 31. The directive affects ministers, special advisers, assistants, and heads of federal agencies and government-owned institutions.
Focus remains on power sector
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Adelabu refrained from stating whether he would resign, emphasising that his immediate focus is addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
“What matters to me most now is this job that I am doing as the honourable minister of power. I am excelling on the job, and that is my priority for now, tackling foreseen, known and unforeseen challenges in the power sector,” he said.
“Resolving the power supply challenges is my priority for now. We have between now and March 31, if I am interested in the gubernatorial contest in Oyo state. It is all about service, whether at the national or subnational level.
“I will not say more than that. Whether I will be here or leave is a matter of time. I will get back to you.”
Political background
Adelabu resigned from his role as deputy governor (operations) at the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018 to pursue his governorship ambition in 2019.
He contested the election as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress but lost to Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party.
In 2022, after losing the APC primary to Teslim Folarin, Adelabu defected to the Accord Party and contested again following the withdrawal of Ayodele Oyajide, but was once more defeated by Makinde.
He later returned to the APC in 2023 and was subsequently appointed minister of power by President Tinubu.