The Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Bolaji Tunji, has debunked reports claiming that his principal resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Speaking with Tribune Online during a telephone conversation, Tunji dismissed the reports as false, saying, “The phone has not been with me. I’ve not had my phone with me… It (the minister’s resignation) is fake. He (Adelabu) has not resigned. That’s fake, it’s fake news. I’m going to send something.”
The clarification comes after a letter allegedly signed by Adelabu announcing his resignation went viral on Tuesday evening, sparking speculation about whether the Ibadan-born politician had left President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The alleged resignation followed recent exits within the FEC, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who stepped down to pursue political ambitions. Tuggar is seeking the APC governorship ticket in Bauchi State, while Sununu is pursuing a senatorial bid in Kebbi State.
The purported resignation letter titled “Resignation as Honourable Minister” stated that Adelabu was leaving office to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State and dedicate his time and resources to the campaign. In the letter, he reportedly wrote, “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… 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.”
President Tinubu appointed Adelabu as the Minister of Power on August 16, 2023. He has previously contested for the Oyo State governorship twice, first under the APC in 2019 and then under the Accord Party in 2023.
