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       #Post#: 47--------------------------------------------------
       Lobbying Begins As Adelabu Set To Resign, Eyes Oyo Governor's
       Seat
   DIR By: wedco893
       Date: March 5, 2026, 9:58 am
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       Minister of Power, Adebayo AdelabuMinister of Power, Adebayo
       Adelabu
       Political lobbying has reportedly 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 the cabinet in the coming weeks.
       Adelabu is expected to seek the governorship ticket of the All
       Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
       Under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable
       released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, party
       primaries and the resolution of disputes arising from them will
       take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
       The timeline is believed to have prompted 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. He said he
       would love to achieve some feats “before I leave office.”
       According to some aides, the remark reflected his intention to
       pursue the Oyo governorship race.
       In a video that circulated in October 2025, Adelabu formally
       declared his intention to run for governor of Oyo State.
       The minister recalled 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 had been
       no official directive from President Bola Ahmed 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.
       It was gathered that individuals interested in Adelabu’s job are
       already lobbying the presidency, knowing full well that he would
       resign 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, said 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.
       The Convener of PowerUp Nigeria, Adetayo Adegbemle, also
       stressed that the next minister 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 is critical
       to Nigeria’s industrial growth and job creation.
       Similarly, energy professor Dayo Ayoade said the power sector is
       currently in a fragile state and requires 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.
       Credit:
  HTML https://www.naijanews.com/2026/03/05/lobbying-begins-for-power-minister-as-adelabu-set-to-resign-eyes-oyo-guber/?utm_source=operamini&utm_medium=feednews&utm_campaign=operamini_feednews
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