Adelabu denies resignation rumours as March 31st deadline expires for 2027 aspirants

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has strongly denied reports claiming he resigned from the Federal Executive Council, describing the circulating information as “fake news.”

The rebuttal came late Tuesday through his Special Assistant on Media, Bolaji Tunji, amid heightened political speculation over the minister’s future as a presidential directive requiring political appointees with 2027 election ambitions to vacate office by March 31 reached its deadline.

“The news of the minister’s resignation is fake. There is no truth to it,” Tunji said in a WhatsApp message to journalists.

He also shared copies of the purported resignation letter stamped “fake news,” in a bid to counter growing rumours that had spread across political circles hours before the expiration of the presidential directive.

The uncertainty follows a directive issued by President Bola Tinubu through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, mandating all political appointees seeking elective office in 2027 to resign on or before March 31, 2026.

The circular referenced Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries.

Adelabu’s political future has been the subject of intense debate, particularly after he gave a carefully worded response last week when asked about his interest in the 2027 Oyo State governorship race.

“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 during a press briefing in Abuja.

However, he added: “We have between now and March 31, if I am interested, in the gubernatorial contest in Oyo State. It is all about service, either at the national level or at the subnational level. I will not say more than that. Whether I will be here or I will be leaving is a matter of time.”

Political analysts note that Adelabu’s situation is further complicated by internal dynamics within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State. While the minister is widely regarded as a strong contender for the party’s gubernatorial ticket, reports indicate that President Tinubu has yet to formally endorse any aspirant.

There are also indications that some party stakeholders in the state may be backing Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, potentially reshaping the race for the party’s nomination.

By neither resigning nor formally declaring his ambition, Adelabu appears to be keeping his political options open while continuing in his ministerial role.

Adelabu’s tenure at the Ministry of Power has been marked by ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector, including repeated national grid collapses, tariff adjustments, and mounting sector debts.

The minister has pushed for reforms aimed at attracting private investment and improving generation and distribution infrastructure. However, public dissatisfaction over erratic power supply persists.

Adelabu is among several political appointees believed to be considering bids for governorship or legislative positions in 2027. As of late Tuesday, the Presidency had not released an official list of resignations, leaving room for speculation, confirmations, and denials.

With the March 31 deadline now reached, attention is expected to shift to the Presidency for clarification on which officials, if any, have stepped down in compliance with the directive.