Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria's Minister of Power, has dismissed claims that he submitted a resignation letter to President Bola Tinubu to contest the 2027 Oyo State governorship election. The rumour, circulating on social media since Tuesday, included a forged letter dated March 26, 2026, which his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, labelled "fake news" and displayed with an official stamp to disprove it. Tunji stated clearly, "The news of the minister's resignation na fake. Nothing like that happen." Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television quoted Adelabu saying, "I no dey sign documents with blue pen as honourable minister," referencing the inauthentic style of the forged letter. Adelabu previously acknowledged interest in the governorship race but stressed his current focus is on his ministerial duties.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced a gas price increase for power generators, raising the rate to $2.18 per million British thermal units from $2.13, effective April 1, 2026. NMDPRA Chief Executive Saidu Mohammed approved the adjustment in line with the Petroleum Industry Act and market conditions. The new Domestic Base Price for power plants is $2.18 per MMBtu, while commercial users will pay $2.68. Adelabu has previously warned that gas suppliers prioritise exports due to higher returns, as local power plants pay the lowest rates and often fail to settle bills—recovering only 35 to 40 percent of dues, amid a legacy debt of N4 trillion. Only two of Nigeria's 32 power plants have firm gas supply contracts.
The timing of the fake resignation letter—dated a year from now, when the actual resignation deadline for political aspirants is March 31, 2026—exposes how easily manufactured drama can hijack public discourse. Adelabu remains in office, but the gas price hike reveals a deeper crisis: power generators are structurally disadvantaged, paying rock-bottom prices while gas firms chase export profits. With the government already paying N71.49 billion in partial electricity subsidies, this marginal gas price increase will push the fiscal burden higher without fixing the root flaws. Unless payment defaults and gas allocation priorities are tackled, generation capacity will stay crippled regardless of ministerial stability.
