Fresh details have emerged surrounding Adebayo Adelabu’s resignation as Minister of Power, with reports claiming President Bola Tinubu tried to stop him from leaving the cabinet ahead of his 2027 governorship ambition in Oyo State.
According to sources familiar with the development, Adelabu was determined to resign despite efforts by the President to convince him to remain in government.
The former minister reportedly chose to step down so he could fully concentrate on pursuing the Oyo governorship race.
Reports say Adelabu met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa before making his exit official, where both men reportedly discussed his political plans and chances in the race.
According to insiders, Tinubu questioned his prospects in the governorship contest, while Adelabu reportedly assured the President he was confident of securing his party’s ticket and winning the election.
After the meeting, he moved ahead with his resignation.
Even more striking, sources quoted by Punch claimed Tinubu had other plans for Adelabu and was considering him for a major promotion within the cabinet.
According to the report, the President had wanted to consider him for the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy role following Wale Edun’s resignation.
A senior Presidency official was quoted as insisting Adelabu was not pushed out of office but left by choice.
“The truth is that he resigned. He wasn’t sacked. I can confirm that to you. In fact, the President didn’t want him to go,” the source said.
The official also claimed Tinubu had even delayed granting Adelabu the opportunity to formally raise the resignation issue because he hoped to persuade him to stay.
Sources further alleged the President had at different times sent messages through intermediaries urging him not to quit, saying Adelabu remained valued in the administration, particularly over reforms in the power sector.
Despite public criticism of persistent electricity challenges, insiders claimed that Tinubu continued to defend Adelabu’s performance.
“The President didn’t want him to go. Even when people said he was not performing, the President defended him, saying he was doing well,” the source reportedly added.
According to the same source, Tinubu believed Nigeria’s power challenges go beyond one minister and require structural fixes that take time.
The revelations have added a new twist to Adelabu’s exit, painting it less as a political fallout and more as a resignation the President reportedly tried hard to prevent. With the former minister now focused on Oyo 2027, attention is already shifting to what his governorship bid could mean politically.
