Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has officially resigned from the Federal Executive Council to pursue his ambition of becoming the next governor of Oyo State in the 2027 elections.
In a resignation letter dated March 26 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu explained that his decision aligns with a federal directive mandating that all political appointees with electoral aspirations must step down from office before the end of March 2026. This policy is designed to ensure a clear separation between governance and political campaigning ahead of the general elections.
Adelabu noted that leaving his ministerial role would allow him to fully dedicate his time, energy, and resources to his governorship bid. His move signals an early start to what is expected to be a competitive political season, particularly in Oyo State, where he has previously contested the governorship in both 2019 and 2023.
His resignation also reflects a broader trend within the current administration, as more appointees with political ambitions are anticipated to exit their positions in the coming weeks. This wave of departures is likely to reshape parts of the cabinet as the government gradually transitions toward the 2027 electoral cycle.
Adelabu’s exit comes at a crucial period for Nigeria’s power sector, which continues to face significant challenges, including inconsistent electricity supply, aging infrastructure, and frequent national grid disturbances. Despite efforts by the ministry under his leadership to implement reforms aimed at stabilising power generation and improving distribution networks, many Nigerians still experience persistent outages.
As he steps away from the role, attention will now turn to his successor and how the administration plans to sustain ongoing reforms in the energy sector. The leadership transition is expected to play a key role in determining whether recent policy efforts can translate into measurable improvements in electricity supply.
Adelabu’s political re-entry sets the stage for another high-stakes contest in Oyo State, while also marking a notable shift within the federal government as the race toward 2027 gathers momentum.
