Political lobbying has 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 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet in the coming weeks.

Adelabu is expected to seek the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Lobbying Begins For Power Minister As Adelabu Set To Resign, Eyes Oyo Guber

Under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties are scheduled to conduct their primaries and resolve disputes arising from them between April 23 and May 30, 2026. The timeline has reportedly accelerated 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, stating that he hoped to achieve certain milestones “before I leave office.”

According to some of his aides, the remark reflected his intention to pursue the Oyo State governorship race.

In a video that circulated in October 2025, the minister formally declared his intention to run for governor of Oyo State, recalling 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 has been no official directive from President 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 told The PUNCH.

Despite the uncertainty, sources revealed that individuals interested in taking over Adelabu’s position have already begun lobbying the presidency, anticipating that he may step down 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, emphasized that 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.

Similarly, the convener of PowerUp Nigeria, Adetayo Adegbemle, stressed that whoever is appointed 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 remains crucial to Nigeria’s industrial growth and job creation.

Energy professor Dayo Ayoade also described the sector as being in a fragile state, stressing the need for 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.