…Tinubu’s resignation directive reshapes cabinet ahead of 2027 elections
…Power sector crisis deepens amid gas shortages, N6.8tn debt burden
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is set to leave office without achieving his widely publicized 6,000-megawatt electricity supply target, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requiring political appointees with electoral ambitions to resign.
The development comes amid sweeping political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as members of the current administration begin to reposition for elective offices across the country.
Salient Times gathered that President Tinubu had ordered all ministers, aides, and political appointees intending to contest in the 2027 polls to tender their resignations on or before March 31, 2026.
The directive, according to sources within government circles, is in compliance with provisions of the newly amended Electoral Act aimed at ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants.
Adelabu is among those directly affected, having openly declared his intention to contest the governorship election in Oyo State in 2027.
With less than two weeks to the deadline, indications have emerged that the minister is preparing to step down from his role in the power sector to focus fully on his political ambition.
Efforts by Salient Times to obtain an official reaction from his spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned as of the time of filing this report.
However, a senior official within the Federal Ministry of Power, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Adelabu’s resignation is imminent.
“He is ready to bow out; I can authoritatively tell you this. His immediate goal is the Oyo Governorship 2027,” the source disclosed.
The source further revealed that several high-ranking individuals are already lobbying for the soon-to-be vacant ministerial position, signaling an impending reshuffle within the cabinet.
Despite the political maneuvering, concerns remain high over the state of Nigeria’s power sector, which continues to grapple with systemic challenges.
Adelabu’s tenure has been marked by an ambitious commitment to increase electricity generation to 6,000 megawatts, a target that has now clearly fallen short.
Data from the national grid indicates that electricity distributed to power distribution companies hovered around 3,331 megawatts as of Tuesday, far below the minister’s projection.
Across the country, millions of Nigerians continue to experience frequent blackouts and unstable electricity supply, further worsening economic and social conditions.
Industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian Integrated System Operator, have consistently cited gas shortages as a major constraint to improved generation capacity.
As a result, generation levels have fluctuated between 2,000 and 3,900 megawatts in recent months, highlighting the fragility of the sector.
Compounding the crisis, power generation companies recently shut down several gas-fired plants due to unresolved legacy debts estimated at over N6.8 trillion.
The mounting debt has discouraged investment and strained operations within the sector, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
Analysts warn that whoever succeeds Adelabu will inherit a deeply troubled system requiring urgent reforms, increased funding, and stronger regulatory enforcement.
While Adelabu’s exit marks a significant political transition, it also underscores the persistent challenges that have long plagued Nigeria’s electricity sector, leaving citizens and businesses yearning for stable and reliable power supply.
