Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has resigned from his position to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said his exit will take effect from April 30, 2026, to allow for a smooth transition.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
“I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on April 30, 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities,” he wrote.
Adelabu expressed appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege and a chance to contribute to national development.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation,” he added.
The former minister said his decision was driven by his desire to focus fully on his gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State, in line with provisions of the amended Electoral Act 2026, which restrict political office holders from contesting elections while in office.
He noted that his governorship aspiration dates back to 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a position he resigned from in 2018 to pursue the same ambition.
Adelabu’s resignation marks a significant political development ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in Oyo State, where his entry into the race is expected to reshape the political landscape.
