Nigeria's Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the 2027 gubernatorial election in Oyo State. The declaration, made on Friday, July 5, 2025, during a meeting with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan, sets the stage for a potentially heated political contest in the state.
Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, stated his intention to leverage his experience from previous electoral contests and his current role in the federal cabinet to clinch the governorship seat. This will be his third attempt at leading the "Pacesetter State," having been the APC's flagbearer in 2019 and the Accord Party's candidate in 2023.
His announcement has, however, been met with mixed reactions within the Oyo State chapter of the APC. Reports indicate some internal tensions, with some party members expressing reservations about his candidacy, citing his temporary defection to the Accord Party in the last election cycle. Adelabu has reportedly addressed these concerns, stating that his previous political maneuver was a strategic one.
While nursing his gubernatorial ambitions, Adelabu continues to navigate the complexities of his ministerial portfolio. Nigeria's power sector remains a critical and challenging area, and his tenure has been marked by a focus on addressing deep-seated issues. Recently, the Minister has been vocal about the need for significant investment and a complete overhaul of the sector to ensure stable and reliable electricity supply across the country. He has often spoken of the "Renewed Hope" agenda of the current administration and its commitment to tackling the power deficit head-on.
Critics, however, point to the persistent challenges in the power sector, including frequent grid collapses and the slow pace of metering, as areas where the Minister's impact is yet to be fully felt.
As the political landscape in Oyo State begins to take shape for 2027, all eyes will be on Adebayo Adelabu to see how he balances his national responsibilities as Minister of Power with his renewed quest to govern his home state. His political journey and performance in the power sector will undoubtedly be major factors in the forthcoming electoral race.
