BY: Jolayemi Abayomi Abdulwaliyy
Claim:
Adebayo Adelabu has resigned as Minister of Power to contest the Oyo State governorship election, with a resignation letter dated March 26, 2026 circulating online.
Verdict:
False! Adebayo Adelabu has not resigned from office. His media aide dismissed the reports as fake news, and credible sources confirm he remains in office as of March 31, 2026.
Full Text:
In the days leading up to March 31, 2026, multiple news platforms and social media accounts reported that Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu had resigned from the Federal Executive Council to contest the Oyo State governorship election in 2027.
fake circulating letter
The reports cited a purported resignation letter dated March 26, 2026, allegedly addressed to the President through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The story gained widespread traction as the March 31 deadline approached the date set for political appointees seeking elective office in 2027 to resign their appointments.
Several online platforms presented the resignation as confirmed, further amplifying the claim despite the absence of official verification.
Verification:
FactCheckAfrica investigated the claim by reviewing official statements, media reports, and communications from the Minister’s office.
According to Punch Newspapers, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Bolaji Tunji, dismissed the report, stating that the news of Adelabu’s resignation is false.
Similarly, PM News Nigeria reported that the Minister denied the claim and reaffirmed that he remains in office. The media aide also circulated copies of the purported resignation letter stamped “fake news” to discredit the document circulating online.
At a press briefing prior to the deadline, Adelabu maintained that his focus remained on his ministerial duties and did not confirm any decision to resign. The confusion appears to have been driven by speculation surrounding preparations for the 2027 general elections and the directive requiring political appointees to resign if they intend to contest.
Conclusion
The claim that Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu resigned on March 31, 2026, is false. While a fake resignation letter circulated online and several reports amplified the claim, official statements and credible sources confirm that he remains in office.
This case highlights how unverified reports can spread rapidly during politically sensitive periods, especially when deadlines approach, and reinforces the importance of verifying claims before sharing.
