… as Tinubu orders appointees seeking nomination for elective office to resign
Oredola Adeola
Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, is expected to step down from their positions on or before March 31, 2026, in compliance with a President Bola Tinubu’s directive mandating all political appointees with ambitions to contest elective offices to step down ahead of party primaries.
This is as a result of the circular signed by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and issued through Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, on Tuesday.
The directive, according to the circular, is anchored on Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The circular makes it mandatory for all categories of presidential political appointees who wish to participate in the forthcoming party primaries or seek nomination for any elective office, which include Ministers, Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Special Assistants the President, Personal Assistants to the President, All Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-owned companies, as well as all Other Political Appointees of the President—to resign before participating in party primaries or seeking nomination for any elective office.
Accordingly, all affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than March 31, 2026.
Advisors Reports’ checks suggest that Adelabu has intensified political consultations and grassroots engagements across Oyo State.
His recent movements, seen by observers as strategic positioning, point to a structured effort to consolidate support ahead of the party primaries.
Adelabu in a viral video in Oct 2025 stated, “I contested in 2019 and 2023… in 2027, it’s our turn—E mi lokan!” (It’s my turn), vowing door-to-door campaigns after losses to Gov. Seyi Makinde.
He disclosed that his ambition was not driven by selfish motives but by a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people in Oyo State.
“I have been on this political journey for quite some time. In politics, I have learned that one may not always get what one deserves in a single attempt — life and politics have both taught me this lesson,” he said then.
