Adelabu Deny Resignation Rumour as Gas Price Jump for Power Sector

Naija power minister, Adebayo Adelabu, don come out strong to deny rumours wey dey fly say him don resign from President Bola Tinubu government. The gist dey viral for social media since Tuesday, with one letter wey dem claim say Adelabu write to Tinubu, indicating say him don step down to pursue governorship ambition for Oyo State come 2027 election. But the minister and him people don label the whole matter as “fake news.”

Adelabu media aide, Bolaji Tunji, talk to journalists say the story no get any truth. Him even show pictures of the viral letter with “fake news” stamp on top, just to kill the speculation. Tunji yarn say, “The news of the minister’s resignation na fake. Nothing like that happen.” The matter don cause plenty wahala because of one directive from President Tinubu wey ask all political appointees wey want contest for 2027 to leave their position by March 31, 2026.

For Channels Television, popular broadcaster Seun Okinbaloye also carry the denial. Him quote Adelabu directly say, “I no dey sign documents with blue pen as honourable minister.” Okinbaloye add say the minister don dispel the rumour completely and confirm say him still dey as Minister of Power. The whole thing dey draw attention because Adelabu don dey linked with Oyo State governorship race under All Progressives Congress (APC).

Last week, when journalists ask Adelabu about him political future, the minister give cautious answer. Him talk say, “Wetin matter to me now na this job wey I dey do as Minister of Power. I dey excel for the work, and that na my priority for now.” But him still leave small window open, add say, “We get between now and March 31, if I get interest for Oyo governorship contest.”

Meanwhile, as this resignation yarn dey fly, another serious matter don surface for power sector. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) don increase price of natural gas for power generation companies to $2.18 per million British thermal units. The new price go take effect from April 1, 2026, and na small jump from the 2025 rate of $2.13.

The NMDPRA Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, sign the public announcement wey dem release for Abuja. The authority talk say the new price follow the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and market realities. For the new arrangement, gas wey dem supply to power sector go cost $2.18 per MMBtu as Domestic Base Price. For commercial users, the wholesale price na $2.68 per MMBtu.

This gas price increase dey come at one delicate time for Nigeria power sector. Adelabu himself don warn before say gas supply crisis dey worsen because of pricing distortions and payment problems. Him explain say gas suppliers dey prefer export markets because dem go get better returns compared to wetin dem go get from local power plants.

Adelabu talk say, “Today, power plants dey pay the lowest price for local supplies. These gas companies get option to sell am as exports at more than double wetin local plants dey pay.” Him add say even when dem supply to power plants, dem no dey get full payment—only about 35 to 40 percent of wetin the sector suppose pay, not to talk of the legacy debt of N4 trillion.

The minister reveal say out of about 32 power plants wey Nigeria get, only two get firm gas supply contracts. The others dey operate on “best endeavour basis,” after dem satisfy export and industrial customers. This situation dey make electricity generation dey suffer, and with this new gas price increase, subsidy costs for government go likely rise again.

For 2025, Federal Government pay N71.49 billion out of the N1.92 trillion electricity subsidy wey dem owe power generation companies—that one na just 3.7 percent of the total sum. With this marginal increase for gas prices, subsidy burden go climb further, and power generation companies go face more financial wahala if no policy shift happen.

At the same time, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) dey push electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and meter asset providers to speed up free meter installations. NERC Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, talk say meters wey dem supply under government-funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) na 100 percent free for customers at point of installation.

Oseni explain say, “The meter provided by government na free because government pay for am. DisCos dey roll am out. Of course, dem go pay the money back, but the loan come with very minimal interest rate.” Him emphasise say DisCos no go charge customers because of the meter, and that na wetin Minister Adelabu and Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) mean when dem talk about free meters.

But DisCos dey complain say the cost burden still go fall on them over time. Dem talk say meters wey dem tag as free by Federal Government still go dey paid by DisCos within 10 years, and dem no understand why DisCos suppose bear installation costs. This metering matter dey important because Nigeria still get over six million customers wey dey receive estimated billing due to poor metering system.

Back to Adelabu matter, the minister Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, talk to TVC say Adelabu never submit any resignation letter. Him urge those wey dey spread the report to stop circulating false information. Tunji note say one purported resignation letter dated March 26, 2026, wey dem claim Adelabu write to President Tinubu, don dey trend for social media.

For the letter, dem claim say the minister resign to pursue him ambition to contest for Oyo State Governor office. But Tunji maintain say the claims no get foundation and insist say Adelabu still dey committed to him responsibilities for power sector. Him caution those behind the reports against spreading unsubstantiated claims wey fit mislead the public.

The whole resignation rumour dey show how political calculations dey mix with serious sector matters like gas pricing and electricity supply. As Adelabu dey face questions about him future, the power sector dey face real challenges wey go affect every Nigerian. The gas price increase go likely lead to higher costs for electricity generation, and if subsidy no dey properly managed, the burden go eventually fall on consumers.

For now, Adelabu dey remain as Minister of Power, and him team dey focus on tackling the many issues wey dey plague Nigeria electricity sector. But with the March 31 deadline for political appointees wey get ambition, plenty eyes dey on the minister to see wetin go happen next. The coming weeks go reveal if Adelabu go stay for him position or finally make move for Oyo politics.