Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, is set to resign his federal appointment to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State, officials have confirmed.
According to Punch Newspapers, Adelabu secured the consent of President Bola Tinubu during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, where he presented a detailed briefing on his performance in the power sector over the past two and a half years.
A statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, noted that a central outcome of the engagement was presidential approval for Adelabu to exit the cabinet and focus on his political aspiration.
At the meeting, Adelabu highlighted key milestones under his leadership, including efforts to stabilise electricity generation, strengthen transmission capacity, and drive reforms aimed at improving efficiency across the power sector value chain — achievements that he said positioned him for broader public service.
The statement added that the timing of his resignation is intended to ensure continuity in ongoing power sector reforms before he exits office.
Adelabu’s anticipated departure aligns with a broader directive for political appointees who intend to contest elective offices in the 2027 general elections to step down ahead of party primaries.
He is expected to join the governorship race under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Political observers say his entry into the Oyo State governorship contest will reshuffle local political calculations, especially given his national profile and prior experience in the state’s political landscape.