Former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not endorsed any aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
Adelabu, who resigned from his ministerial position earlier in the week, said the decision was taken to comply with electoral regulations and allow him to focus fully on his governorship ambition.
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.
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.
Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, he dismissed reports suggesting that Tinubu had anointed a preferred candidate in the state.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with 36 states, 774 local governments and almost 9,000 wards… he will not endorse or have special interest in anybody,” he said.
He described rumours of endorsement as false, insisting that his relationship with the president remains strong and personal.
“Of course, in the last two, three weeks, there have been rumours that Asiwaju has endorsed someone else. But it is all a lie. I am his son. If he had such a plan, he would have told me,” Adelabu added.
The former minister recalled his political journey with Tinubu, noting their collaboration in past elections and his eventual appointment to the federal cabinet despite party differences at different times.
He said his resignation was a deliberate step to pursue his long-standing ambition of governing Oyo State.
“The singular reason for my resignation is to come back and plead for the opportunity to represent our party as the guber candidate in the 2027 general election. That is the only reason why I resigned,” he said.
Adelabu added that he is prepared for the risks associated with leaving office for elective politics, describing it as a calculated move aligned with his political goals.
He also expressed confidence in his ability to deliver on infrastructure, economic growth, and security if given the party’s ticket and eventually elected governor.
