Nigeria’s political space was recently stirred by a wave of speculation following reports that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had resigned from his position. The rumors, which began circulating widely on April 1, 2026, suggested that he had stepped down to fully concentrate on his long-standing ambition to contest for the governorship of Oyo State in the 2027 general elections.
However, the Minister’s office wasted no time in addressing the claims. In a clear and firm response, the reports were dismissed as false, with officials describing them as completely fabricated and misleading.
The Rumor That Sparked Nationwide Attention
The speculation first gained momentum on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, a date that carried significant political importance. On that day, a letter allegedly written and signed by Adelabu began circulating across social media platforms. The document, addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, claimed that the Minister was stepping down from his role in order to dedicate his time and resources to his gubernatorial ambition.
Given Adelabu’s known political history and previous attempts at the Oyo State governorship, many Nigerians found the story believable. Within hours, the rumor had spread widely, sparking debates, reactions, and even early political analysis.
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Official Response from the Minister’s Camp
In response to the growing speculation, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media, Bolaji Tunji, issued a strong denial.
He stated clearly that the reports were false and did not originate from the Minister’s office. According to him, the circulating resignation letter was not authentic and should be disregarded.
To reinforce this position, the media team released copies of the viral letter marked boldly with the words “FAKE NEWS.” This was done to caution the public and media organizations against spreading unverified information and to emphasize the importance of fact-checking before sharing sensitive political updates.
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Why the Timing Raised Suspicion
The timing of the rumor played a major role in how quickly it gained traction. It coincided with a directive issued by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which required all political appointees interested in contesting elective positions in the 2027 elections to resign on or before March 31, 2026.
This directive, based on the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, was intended to ensure fairness and prevent the misuse of public office for campaign purposes.
As the deadline approached and eventually passed, several high-profile members of the cabinet complied by stepping down to pursue their political ambitions. Among them were:
- Yusuf Tuggar, who is seeking the governorship of Bauchi State
- Saidu Alkali, aiming for the Gombe State governorship
- Yusuf Sununu, pursuing a Senate seat in Kebbi State
Given this context, many observers naturally assumed that Adelabu would follow the same path, especially considering his previous gubernatorial bids in Oyo State in 2019 and 2023.
Adelabu’s Current Focus on the Power Sector
Despite the speculation, Adelabu appears to be firmly focused on his responsibilities as Minister of Power.
In recent public engagements, he has openly acknowledged the challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector, including persistent outages and instability in the national grid. In a rare move, he even issued a public apology to Nigerians for the ongoing power supply issues, while also assuring citizens that efforts are underway to improve the situation.
During a recent press briefing in Abuja, Adelabu spoke carefully about both his current role and his political future. He emphasized that his primary concern at the moment is addressing the complex challenges within the power sector.
While he did not completely dismiss his interest in the Oyo State governorship, he made it clear that his immediate priority is to deliver results in his ministerial role.
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What His Decision Means for Oyo State Politics
Adelabu’s decision not to resign before the March 31 deadline has introduced a new layer of uncertainty into the political equation in Oyo State.
Under the current legal framework, his continued stay in office suggests two possible scenarios.
One possibility is that he may have decided to temporarily step away from his governorship ambition in order to focus fully on his national assignment. This would mean putting his political aspirations on hold, at least for now.
The second possibility is that this could be a strategic move. He may be exploring alternative political or legal pathways that could allow him to enter the race at a later stage. However, this approach could come with risks, particularly in relation to compliance with existing electoral guidelines and presidential directives.
The Bigger Picture
As it stands today, Adebayo Adelabu remains firmly in his position as Nigeria’s Minister of Power. His office has urged Nigerians to ignore what it described as misinformation being spread by individuals with questionable motives.
For now, his attention remains on tackling the country’s energy challenges and improving electricity supply, an issue that directly affects millions of Nigerians and the overall economy.
Popularly known as “Penkelemesi,” Adelabu continues to play a key role in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to stabilize and transform its power sector. Whether or not he eventually returns to the Oyo State governorship race remains to be seen.
This episode highlights how quickly misinformation can spread, especially during politically sensitive periods. It also underscores the importance of relying on verified sources and official statements when assessing major developments.
For now, there is no resignation, no confirmed exit, and no immediate shift in Adelabu’s political trajectory. Instead, there is a sitting Minister focused on a demanding national assignment, while keeping his long-term political options open.
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