Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has declined to confirm whether he will resign from his position to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, stating that addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges remains his main focus.
Adelabu, who previously declared his intention to run for governor in 2027, made the remarks during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
His comments come after Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president, directed political appointees seeking elective offices in the 2027 elections to resign from their positions before March 31.
The directive affects ministers, special advisers, senior special assistants, and heads of federal agencies interested in contesting political offices.
Responding to questions about his political ambition, Adelabu said his immediate concern is addressing the country’s power supply problems.
“What matters to me most now is this job that I am doing as the Minister of Power. I am excelling on the job, and that is my priority for now,” he said.
He added that efforts are ongoing to tackle both existing and emerging challenges in the power sector, stressing that improving electricity supply remains his main responsibility.
Adelabu also noted that there is still time before the March 31 deadline to decide whether he will step down to pursue his governorship ambition.
The minister previously left his position as Deputy Governor (Operations) at the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018 to contest the 2019 governorship election in Oyo State under the All Progressives Congress, but lost to Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party.
He later defected to the Accord Party to contest the 2023 governorship election after losing the APC primary, but was again defeated by Makinde.
Adelabu returned to the All Progressives Congress in 2023 and was subsequently appointed Minister of Power by President Tinubu.
