Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has denied reports that he has resigned from the Federal Executive Council to pursue a governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the claims as “fake news.”
The denial follows the circulation of a purported resignation letter bearing Adelabu’s name, which went viral on social media on Tuesday, coinciding with the expiration of a presidential directive mandating political appointees with electoral ambitions to step down on or before March 31, 2026.
Prominent broadcaster Seun Okinbaloye, speaking on Channels Television, dismissed the document, quoting the minister as debunking the claim.
“Stories making the rounds about the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who the story and the picture or the image of a letter signed by him has been going viral,” Okinbaloye said.
“The minister has confirmed to Channels Television that that is not true. He said, ‘I don’t sign documents with a blue pen as an honourable minister.’”
“It’s all fake and that he’s not resigned his position as the Minister of Power… the minister has dispelled it.”
Adelabu’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, also issued a swift rebuttal late Tuesday, insisting there was no truth to the resignation reports.
In a message to journalists, he described the viral document as fabricated and circulated images of the letter stamped “fake news” in a bid to quell the growing speculation.
“The news of the minister’s resignation is fake. There is no truth to it,” Tunji said.
The controversy erupted against the backdrop of a directive issued by President Bola Tinubu, requiring all political appointees seeking elective office in 2027 to vacate their positions by March 31, 2026.
The directive, conveyed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, referenced provisions of the Electoral Act and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Adelabu’s situation has drawn particular attention due to his perceived interest in contesting the Oyo State governorship election under the ruling All Progressives Congress.
At a press briefing in Abuja last week, the minister gave a cautious response when asked directly about his political future, neither confirming nor denying his ambition.
“What matters to me most now is this job that I am doing as the Honourable Minister of Power. I am excelling on the job, and that is my priority for now, tackling foreseen, known and unforeseen challenges in the power sector,” Adelabu said.
However, he left the door open for a possible exit, adding, “We have between now and March 31, if I am interested, in the gubernatorial contest in Oyo State. It is all about service, either at the national level or at the subnational level… Whether I will be here or I will be leaving is a matter of time.”
