2027: Citizens Rally Behind Chief Bayo Adelabu, Condemn Campaign of Calumny Against Power Minister
A coalition of politicians and concerned citizens under the aegis of Peoples Right Agenda (PRA) has condemned what it described as a sponsored campaign of calumny against the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, warning the public not to be misled by what it called politically motivated attempts to discredit him ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election in Oyo State.
In a statement issued at the weekend and jointly signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Tunde Olaoshebikan, and Secretary, Isaac Olatona, the group alleged that certain political actors within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as opposition parties have become unsettled by Adelabu’s rising political profile and are therefore exploiting recent irregularities in power supply to attack his competence.
The group noted that the power sector recorded notable progress throughout 2025 under Adelabu’s leadership, including improved grid stability; record levels of energy generation and transmission; expanded rural electrification through mini-grids; and the acquisition of millions of metres to address the nation’s metering deficit. It also cited measurable progress on the Presidential Power Initiative (Siemens Project) and improvements in revenue collection within the sector.
According to the statement, the recent fluctuations in electricity supply were largely caused by gas shortages affecting thermal power plants due to external factors such as the Middle East crisis and commercial decisions by gas suppliers prioritising exports over domestic supply.
The coalition stressed that it was unfair to attribute these developments solely to the minister, noting that gas supply issues fall outside the direct control of the ministry of power.
It further argued that Adelabu has spent only about two and a half years as minister of power out of more than three decades of distinguished professional experience across the banking, financial, and public sectors, insisting that his competence cannot reasonably be judged solely on the basis of a temporary challenge in the power sector.
Rather than a liability, the group maintained that Adelabu’s experience in the power sector would in fact be a major advantage for Oyo State if he becomes governor, particularly in addressing electricity challenges and supporting industrial and economic development in the state.
The statement also highlighted Adelabu’s professional background at the First Bank of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria, his service as Chairman of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund, and his role as an investor and employer in the state through real estate and hospitality ventures that have created jobs over the past two decades.
The power minister’s philanthropic efforts through the Bayo Adelabu Foundation were also cited as evidence of his longstanding commitment to social development and community support.
Describing Adelabu as “one of the most brilliant first-class minds produced by Oyo State”, the group called on party members and the general public not to allow negative propaganda to undermine what it described as a credible and capable leadership option for the state.
The group urged citizens and party stakeholders to support Adelabu’s aspiration to secure the APC gubernatorial ticket in 2027 and rally behind him in the interest of progress and development for Oyo State.
