Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has firmly dismissed reports claiming he has resigned from the Federal Executive Council, describing the claims as “fake news.”
The denial comes as the deadline set by Bola Tinubu for political appointees with ambitions for the 2027 elections to step down expired on March 31.
In a rebuttal issued late Tuesday through his media aide, the minister pushed back against mounting speculation over his political future, which has been fueled by his recent comments about a possible governorship bid in Oyo State and uncertainty surrounding the composition of the federal cabinet ahead of the next election cycle.
“The news of the minister’s resignation is fake. There is no truth to it,” Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu’s Special Assistant on Media, said in a WhatsApp message to journalists.
Tunji also circulated images of the alleged resignation letter stamped “fake news,” in a bid to counter widespread rumours that intensified in the hours leading up to the March 31 deadline.
Speculation had grown after Adelabu, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja last Tuesday, gave a cautious response when asked about his political ambitions.
“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.
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.”
The uncertainty follows a directive issued by President 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 directive referenced Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, alongside the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries.
Political observers say Adelabu’s situation is further complicated by internal dynamics within the ruling party in Oyo State. While he remains a prominent contender for the governorship ticket, reports indicate that President Tinubu has yet to endorse his candidacy.
Sources within the party also suggest that support may be shifting toward Sharafadeen Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District.
Analysts believe this uncertainty may explain Adelabu’s decision to neither resign nor formally declare his ambition, allowing him to keep his political options open while continuing in office.
Meanwhile, his tenure as Minister of Power has been defined by ongoing challenges in the electricity sector, including grid collapses, tariff disputes, and rising debts. Although he has pursued reforms aimed at boosting private investment and strengthening infrastructure, public dissatisfaction over inconsistent power supply remains widespread.
Adelabu is not alone in facing scrutiny, as several ministers and agency heads reportedly nursing political ambitions were expected to resign ahead of the deadline.
As of late Tuesday, however, the presidency had yet to release an official list of resignations, leaving the public reliant on a mix of confirmations, denials, and circulating reports.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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