Political lobbying has reportedly increased 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 say several individuals have started positioning themselves for the role because of expectations that Adelabu may soon resign from the Federal Executive Council. Adelabu is expected to seek the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
According to the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties will hold their primaries and resolve related disputes between April 23 and May 30, 2026. This timeline is believed to be the reason Adelabu is preparing to step down from his ministerial position.
During a meeting with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in Lagos late last year, Adelabu suggested that his time as minister might not last long. He said he hoped to achieve some successes “before I leave office.”
Some of his aides said the statement showed his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election.
In a video that circulated in October 2025, Adelabu officially announced his plan to run for governor of Oyo State. While speaking in the video, he recalled how he lost the governorship election twice to the current 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 has been no official instruction from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asking cabinet members who want to contest elections to resign.
“We need to await development, as I am not sure the President has said those with political ambition should resign,” Tunji told The PUNCH.
Sources also said some people interested in becoming the next Minister of Power have already started lobbying the presidency, knowing that Adelabu may resign to pursue his governorship ambition.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the power sector have advised President Tinubu to appoint a technocrat if Adelabu eventually leaves office.
A power sector expert, Bode Fadipe, said the next minister should have strong 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 said the next minister must clearly understand the problems facing the power 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 too much political interference in the sector. He explained that the electricity industry is very important for Nigeria’s industrial growth and job creation.
Energy professor Dayo Ayoade also said the power sector is currently in a fragile condition and needs capable 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 temporarily be managed by the permanent secretary instead of 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.
