The immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has dismissed claims that he resigned from office against the wishes of President Bola Tinubu.

Adelabu, who stepped down to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), clarified that his decision was made with the full consent of the President.

Reports had earlier suggested that Adelabu failed to carry out proper consultations before his resignation, with some sources alleging that Tinubu had considered him for the position of Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy following the exit of Wale Edun.

According to sources within the Presidency, the President was reluctant to let Adelabu leave and had reportedly sent intermediaries to dissuade him from resigning.

“The truth is that he (Adelabu) resigned. He wasn’t sacked. The President didn’t want him to go,” a senior official was quoted as saying, adding that Tinubu had delayed meeting Adelabu to avoid discussions around his resignation.

However, reacting through his media aide, Femi Awogboro, Adelabu refuted the claims, insisting that his resignation was neither abrupt nor contrary to the President’s wishes.

“Adelabu actually obtained the full approval and blessing of President Tinubu before taking the decision to resign. Those spreading false speculations should desist, as such claims are baseless,” the statement read.

He further noted that critics were unsettled by the massive reception he received upon his return to Ibadan, describing the reports as attempts to discredit him.

The development comes amid political realignments ahead of the Oyo State governorship race, with Adelabu positioning himself as a key contender under the APC.