Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stepped down from the Federal Executive Council to focus on his ambition to contest the Oyo State governorship election in 2027.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said his exit will take effect from April 30 to ensure a seamless transition and proper handover of duties.
He expressed appreciation to the president for the opportunity to serve, noting that his appointment allowed him to contribute to reforms in Nigeria’s power sector.
Adelabu explained that his decision was driven by his desire to fully concentrate on his political ambition in Oyo State, a goal he said dates back to 2016 during his time at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He added that provisions of the amended Electoral Act 2026, which prohibit political office holders from contesting elections while still in office, made his resignation necessary.
The development follows an earlier directive by President Tinubu mandating all political appointees seeking elective office in 2027 to resign on or before March 31.
The directive, issued in line with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by Independent National Electoral Commission, was aimed at ensuring transparency and a level playing field ahead of party primaries scheduled between April 23 and May 30.
Adelabu’s resignation comes amid a wave of similar exits from the cabinet, including former ministers seeking governorship and legislative positions across various states.
Despite expectations that he would step down earlier—particularly after publicly declaring his ambition in 2025—Adelabu remained in office until now.
His tenure as minister was marked by persistent challenges in the power sector, including low electricity generation levels, recurring national grid collapses, and widespread public dissatisfaction over rising tariffs without corresponding improvements in supply.
Although the Federal Government introduced reforms under his leadership to reduce subsidy pressures, many Nigerians continued to grapple with unstable electricity, highlighting the structural issues facing the sector.
