A fresh controversy has emerged around Nigeria’s power sector leadership as a newly surfaced resignation letter indicates that Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has formally stepped down from his position to pursue his long-anticipated governorship ambition in Oyo State.
This is coming weeks after he publicly denied such a move.
The letter, dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, shows that Adelabu tendered his resignation with effect from April 30, 2026, citing the need to “focus fully” on his governorship aspiration.
“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,” the letter reads.
“This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
In the letter, Adelabu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a “rare honour” and highlighting his role in advancing reforms in Nigeria’s troubled power sector.
“My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State,” he stated, tracing his political ambition back to 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The development appears to contradict earlier claims by the minister and his media team, who had dismissed reports of his resignation as fabricated.
On March 31, broadcaster Seun Okinbaloye, speaking on Channels Television, quoted Adelabu as denying the authenticity of a similar resignation letter that circulated online.
“The minister has confirmed… that is not true. He said, ‘I don’t sign documents with a blue pen as an honourable minister,’” Okinbaloye had said at the time.
Adelabu’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, had also described the earlier document as “fake news,” insisting there was no truth to claims that the minister had stepped down.
The conflicting narratives have now raised questions about whether the earlier denial was a strategic move or if the newly surfaced letter represents a more recent decision aligned with political developments.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of a directive issued by President Tinubu mandating all political appointees with ambitions for the 2027 general elections to resign on or before March 31, 2026, in compliance with provisions of the amended Electoral Act.
Adelabu, widely believed to be eyeing the Oyo State governorship under the ruling All Progressives Congress, had previously adopted a cautious stance when questioned about his political future, saying his focus remained on his ministerial duties, while leaving open the possibility of resignation.
