Individuals are already lobbying for the position of minister of power as incumbent Adebayo Adelabu prepares to contest the Oyo State governorship election, Nigerian Mirror has learned.
Stakeholders, meanwhile, have urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint a technocrat as Adelabu’s replacement.
Barring any last-minute change, Adelabu is expected to resign in the coming weeks to seek the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Oyo State.
Under the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission , party primaries and the resolution of related disputes will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
During a stakeholder engagement in Lagos late last year, Adelabu hinted at his political plans, saying he hoped to achieve certain milestones “before I leave office.” Aides later disclosed that the remark reflected his intention to join the Oyo governorship race.
In a video that circulated in October 2025, Adelabu formally declared his bid, recalling his previous defeats to Oyo State Gov. Seyi Makinde in 2019 and 2023.
“I have now paid my dues,” he said at the time. “In 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn.”
Asked when the minister would resign, his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, said the president had not directed cabinet members with political ambitions to step down.
“We need to await developments, as I am not sure the president has said those with political ambition should resign,” Tunji said.
Sources said individuals interested in succeeding Adelabu have begun lobbying the presidency in anticipation of his resignation.
Power sector stakeholders said the next minister should be a technocrat with deep knowledge of the industry.
Bode Fadipe, a power sector expert, said the president should appoint someone with national priorities rather than personal interests.
“My choice will be a technocrat who has knowledge of the power sector and whose agenda is national rather than personal interest,” Fadipe said.
Adetayo Adegbemle, convener of PowerUp Nigeria, said any successor must demonstrate a clear understanding of the sector’s challenges before appointment.
He said he initially believed Adelabu’s background in finance could benefit the sector but stressed that the next minister must reduce political interference.
“The power sector is our path to industrialization, job creation and economic growth,” Adegbemle said. “The office should be seen as economy-driving.”
Dayo Ayoade, a professor of energy, said Adelabu’s replacement should not be politically ambitious and called for a technocrat capable of managing what he described as a deepening crisis in the sector.
“The sector is collapsing; we need a technocrat,” Ayoade said.
In a dissenting view, Adeola Samuel-Ilori, coordinator of the Electricity Consumers Forum, said the ministry should be overseen by its permanent secretary until after the election and the formation of a new cabinet.
“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.
Adelabu, a former deputy governor (operations) at the Central Bank of Nigeria, was appointed minister of power in 2023. His appointment drew criticism from some stakeholders who argued he lacked the technical expertise to manage the sector.
He has maintained that his role was to reform the power sector, not to serve as an engineer or technician. Adelabu is expected to resign if he proceeds with his governorship bid.
