…Netizens, residents, civil society question ex-power minister’s motive
Former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has triggered fresh political debate after stating that his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was to secure his party’s governorship ticket, not in service to the people of Oyo State.
Adelabu made the comment on Thursday in Ibadan while addressing pressmen shortly after a welcome-home reception held for him following his exit from the Federal Executive Council.
“I resigned to represent my party and to pursue the ticket,” he told journalists.
Residents quickly reacted, saying the statement confirmed he did not step down in the interest of Oyo State but to prove a point to his political rivals within the APC.
The former minister, who served from August 2023 until his resignation this week, who people national wide admitted that his tenure at the Ministry of Power was marked by poor performance. Residents believe that combined with his stated reason for resigning, has drawn sharp reactions from residents, netizens, and civil society groups in Oyo State, many of whom are now questioning the purpose of public office.
For many, the statement reinforced long-held frustrations with the power sector and political accountability.
Victor Onohwakpor said: “In Nigeria, we don’t have a Minister of Power; what we have is a Minister for Generators.”
Oladiran Brown wrote: “I would have commented earlier, but my phone battery was low because there has been no power in my area for weeks. Honourable Minister, well done.”
Others zeroed in on the question of representation and loyalty.
Feranmi Olayinka Sunday asked: “Wait, are you saying you represent the good people of Oyo State or the APC?”
Engr. Adedapo Fabode was more scathing: “By the time he contests for the 10th time, he’ll stop on his own. He has zero criteria to govern Oyo State. Unless Oyo people are ready to wrestle with unlimited problems.”
David Emmanuel dismissed the governorship ambition outright: “If he failed to deliver as minister, expecting him to deliver as governor is wishful thinking. Premium tears loading.”
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Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was the Accord Party’s gubernatorial candidate in 2023 before returning to the All Progressives Congress. He also ran under the APC in 2019. His resignation is widely seen as an early move ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Oyo State.
Civil society actors say the comments raise larger questions about why politicians seek office.
“Public office is a trust,” said a governance advocate in Ibadan who asked not to be named. “When a former minister openly says he didn’t resign for the people but for a ticket, it erodes confidence in the system and fuels voter apathy.”