The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, will not resign from his position unless directed to do so by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an aide to the minister has said, dismissing growing speculation linking him to the 2027 Oyo State governorship race.
The clarification was made by Adelabu’s aide, Femi Awogboro, who stated that the minister has not received any instruction from the President to step down from his role in the Federal Executive Council.
Awogboro explained that the authority to request the resignation of a serving minister rests solely with the President, stressing that Adelabu remains focused on his responsibilities in the power sector.
“As of now, the President has not asked Adelabu to step down. Only the President can make that call. Until such instruction is given, the minister remains committed to delivering on his mandate in the power sector while keeping his political aspirations in view,” Awogboro said while speaking with journalists.
He added that Adelabu has previously stepped aside from a public office to pursue political ambition, noting that the minister resigned his position as Deputy Governor (Operations) of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018 to contest the Oyo State governorship election.
Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare, said the party has not yet commenced the formal process for the 2027 general elections.
Sadare noted that no aspirant has officially declared interest in the governorship race under the party’s platform.
According to him, individuals interested in contesting various political offices are currently engaging in consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and supporters across communities in the state.
He explained that such consultations are a normal part of early political engagement and are expected to continue until the party formally announces the commencement of the nomination process ahead of the 2027 elections.
In recent weeks, speculation has emerged suggesting that Adelabu may step down from his ministerial role to focus on his governorship ambition under the APC.
Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, contested the Oyo State governorship election in 2023 but lost to the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party. He previously ran for the office under the platform of the Accord Party.
