Adelabu faces ministerial exit as governorship ambition thickens

There are clear indications that Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s minister of power, may resign from his position to pursue his governorship ambition.

Adelabu, who was appointed a minister in August 2023, is already positioning himself for a state-level contest to replace the incumbent Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde by 2027.

In October 2025, Adelabu, while addressing a stakeholders’ engagement with APC leaders in Oyo State, said that he was ready to lead the state after years of political service and previous electoral attempts.

In a viral video, Adelabu said, “I have been on this journey for a while now. I believe it’s not the day you start politics that you begin to reap the benefits. I have now paid my dues. I contested against Seyi in 2019.

“In 2023, I also contested against Seyi, then as the sitting governor. But this 2027, God has shown that it’s my turn. It’s Adelabu time. Anything that belongs to Adelabu belongs to us all.”

The minister called on party leaders and supporters to join him in efforts to reclaim Oyo from the PDP, promising a grassroots campaign.

“I’m ready to take the lead to embark on a house-to-house campaign, day and night to beg our people in order to work together and reap the benefits,” he added.

Adelabu had contested against Governor Seyi Makinde in the 2019 and 2023 elections but lost both times. After a short stint with the Accord Party during the 2023 race, he rejoined the APC and was subsequently named Minister of Power by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Adelabu’s ministerial exit will be in line with the Electoral Act 2026, which states that political appointee is barred from voting as a delegate or running as a candidate in any party’s primary, congress, or convention held to nominate election candidates.

According to 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, “A political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention, congress, and primaries of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”