The race to fill the Minister of Power role intensifies as Adebayo Adelabu prepares to contest the Oyo State governorship election.
Sources reveal that Adelabu is expected to resign soon to pursue his political ambition under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the Electoral Act 2026, party primaries and dispute resolutions will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026, signaling the start of political maneuvering in Oyo.
Adelabu, who lost to incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde in 2019 and 2023, formally announced his 2027 gubernatorial bid in October 2025, saying, “In 2027, it’s Adelabu’s turn.”
While no official resignation directive has been issued, insiders confirm that several candidates are already lobbying for the ministerial position.
Stakeholders and experts are urging President Bola Tinubu to prioritize competence over politics.
Power sector specialists recommend appointing a technocrat with comprehensive knowledge of electricity infrastructure.
Bode Fadipe, a sector analyst, emphasized that the next minister should have a national agenda, not personal ambitions.
Similarly, Adetayo Adegbemle, Convener of PowerUp Nigeria, stressed the need for someone with proven expertise in managing the sector’s challenges and reducing political interference.
Professor Dayo Ayoade echoed the call for a professional with no political aspirations, highlighting the sector’s current crisis.
Conversely, Adeola Samuel-Ilori, coordinator of the Electricity Consumers Forum, suggested the Permanent Secretary manage the ministry until after the 2027 elections.
Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor (Operations) at the Central Bank of Nigeria, was appointed in 2023 to reform Nigeria’s struggling power sector.
Despite criticisms over his banking background, Adelabu asserts his role is to reform policy, not to perform technical engineering functions.
With his potential resignation imminent, the ministerial race is poised to reshape leadership in Nigeria’s power sector, and stakeholders stress the importance of experience, vision, and technocratic competence.
