The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is still functioning in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, has affirmed.
Reports on Tuesday had claimed that Adelabu resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as minister.
But later reports quoted Tunji as saying: “He (Adelabu) has not resigned. That’s fake, it’s fake news. I’m going to send something,” he said.
A letter purportedly signed by Adelabu announcing his resignation went viral on Tuesday evening, sparking widespread speculation among Nigerians over whether the Ibadan-born politician had indeed exited the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The development followed recent resignations within the Federal Executive Council (FEC), as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, stepped down to seek elective offices.
Their decisions were in line with a directive by President Tinubu, asking appointees with electoral aspirations to resign from their positions. While Tuggar is seeking the APC governorship ticket in Bauchi State, Sununu is pursuing a senatorial bid in Kebbi State.
In a letter titled ”Resignation as Honourable Minister” with the seal of office and allegedly signed by Adelabu, the minister said he was resigning to contest for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State “and to dedicate my time and resources to that endeavour.”
The letter read: “I write with profound gratitude to Your Excellency to formally tender my resignation from my position as the Honourable Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I wish to sincerely thank Your Excellency for the confidence reposed in me and the opportunity given to serve our great nation under your administration.
“It has been a privilege contributing to the efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector in line with your Renewed Hope Agenda.
“My decision to resign is to enable me fully pursue my aspiration to contest for the office of the Governor of Oyo State and to dedicate my time and resources to that endeavor.
“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest respect and appreciation.”
President Tinubu appointed Adelabu as the Minister of Power on August 16, 2023.
He has contested for the governorship of Oyo State twice. He was the candidate of the APC in 2019 and contested under the Accord Party in 2023.