Adelabu Warns of Deliberate Misinformation Campaign, Refutes Attributed Statement

Nigerian Power Minister Slams “Deliberate Misinformation Campaign”

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has forcefully pushed back against what he describes as a coordinated disinformation campaign designed to undermine his reputation and public standing.

In a statement released Monday through his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu specifically refuted a widely circulated quote attributed to him claiming he had “accumulated enough money to never be broke again.” The minister categorically denied making such a statement in any forum, public or private.

“This is a complete fabrication aimed at misleading the public,” the statement read, urging Nigerians to disregard the alleged quote entirely.

The minister’s office pointed out that this incident is not isolated but rather part of a pattern of false information being spread about him. The fabricated quote emerged shortly after another piece of misinformation—a fake resignation letter purportedly written by Adelabu—had gained traction on social media before being debunked.

“Both incidents point to a calculated campaign of calumny designed to discredit the minister,” Tunji stated in the release, describing the situation as “a sustained effort to malign the person and office of the Honourable Minister through the spread of fake news and deliberate falsehoods.”

Political observers note that the Nigerian power sector is often a lightning rod for public criticism, given the country’s persistent electricity challenges. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has struggled for decades with inadequate power supply, with many regions experiencing frequent blackouts despite numerous reform initiatives and significant investments in the sector.

The minister’s team believes the timing of these attacks is not coincidental. They have linked the intensified misinformation campaign to speculation about Adelabu’s political ambitions, particularly rumors that he intends to contest the governorship of Oyo State under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While Adelabu has not formally declared his candidacy for the position, his name has become increasingly prominent in political discussions within Oyo State. The southwestern state, home to the historic city of Ibadan, represents a significant political prize, and competition for influential positions is typically fierce.

“These attacks are clearly driven by political interests threatened by the minister’s growing influence,” according to the statement from his office.

The situation highlights the increasingly complex information landscape in Nigerian politics, where social media has amplified both the reach and impact of political messaging—whether accurate or fabricated. Misinformation campaigns have become a common feature of the political environment, particularly as election cycles approach.

Media analysts point out that public officials in Nigeria frequently contend with false attributions and fabricated statements, a challenge exacerbated by the rapid spread of unverified information through digital channels.

For Adelabu, who oversees one of Nigeria’s most challenging ministerial portfolios, the spread of misinformation poses risks beyond personal reputation. The power sector requires significant investor confidence and stakeholder trust to address the country’s electricity deficits, and manufactured controversies could potentially undermine reform efforts.

The minister’s office has indicated that they are monitoring the situation closely and may consider additional steps to address the sources of what they describe as deliberate falsehoods if the pattern continues.