Political lobbying has reportedly intensified for the position of Nigeria’s Minister of Power as the current minister, Adebayo Adelabu, prepares to contest the Oyo State governorship election in 2027.
Reports indicate that several interested individuals have begun positioning themselves for the role amid expectations that Adelabu may resign from the cabinet in the coming weeks.
Adelabu is expected to seek the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
Under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, party primaries and the resolution of disputes arising from them will take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The timeline is believed to have prompted Adelabu’s preparations to step down from his ministerial position.
During an engagement with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in Lagos late last year, Adelabu hinted that his time in office might be limited. He said he would love to achieve some feats “before I leave office.”
According to some aides, the remark reflected his intention to pursue the Oyo governorship race.
In a video that circulated in October 2025, Adelabu formally declared his intention to run for governor of Oyo State.
The minister recalled how he lost the governorship election twice to the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde, in 2019 and 2023.
“I have now paid my dues. I contested against Seyi (Makinde) in 2019. In 2023, I also contested against Seyi, then as the sitting governor. But in 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn. It’s Adelabu’s turn. Anything that belongs to Adelabu belongs to us all,” he said.
However, Adelabu’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, said there had been no official directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requiring cabinet members with political ambitions to resign.
“We need to await development, as I am not sure the President has said those with political ambition should resign,” Tunji said.
It was gathered that individuals interested in Adelabu’s job are already lobbying the presidency, knowing full well that he would resign to pursue his gubernatorial ambitions
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the power sector have urged President Tinubu to appoint a technocrat if Adelabu eventually resigns.
A power sector expert, Bode Fadipe, said the replacement must possess deep knowledge of the electricity industry.
“My choice will be a technocrat who has knowledge of the power sector and whose agenda is national rather than personal interest,” Fadipe said.
The Convener of PowerUp Nigeria, Adetayo Adegbemle, also stressed that the next minister must clearly understand the challenges confronting the sector.
“Anyone being appointed should have a clear understanding of the assignment on hand, understand the challenges of the power sector, and have displayed this understanding before being appointed,” he said.
Adegbemle also warned against excessive political interference in the sector, noting that the electricity industry is critical to Nigeria’s industrial growth and job creation.
Similarly, energy professor Dayo Ayoade said the power sector is currently in a fragile state and requires competent leadership.
“The sector is collapsing; we need a technocrat. We need someone who can manage the crisis that we are in,” he said.
However, the coordinator of the Electricity Consumers Forum, Adeola Samuel-Ilori, suggested that the ministry could be managed temporarily by the permanent secretary rather than appointing a new minister immediately.
“He should let the ministry be run by the permanent secretary till next year when the election will be done and a new cabinet formed if he wins,” Samuel-Ilori said.