2027: Why Some Tinubu’s Ministers Failed To Resign

Despite a directive by President Bola Tinubu ordering political appointees interested in the 2027 general elections to resign by March 31, 2026, only four Ministers have stepped down from their positions.

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The directive, issued through a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, required ministers, advisers and heads of agencies planning to contest elections to leave office before the deadline.

Those who complied with the directive include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who resigned to contest the Bauchi State governorship election.

Others are Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, who stepped down to pursue a senatorial seat in Kebbi State; Saidu Ahmed Alkali, Minister of Transportation, who left office to contest the Gombe State governorship election; and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity, who is seeking a return to the National Assembly from Abia State.

However, several appointees previously linked to the 2027 electoral contest did not resign before the deadline.

They include the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who has been linked to the Bauchi governorship race; and the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, who has reportedly been associated with the Ogun governorship contest.

Also linked to future contests are the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who has been mentioned in connection with the Borno governorship race, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was previously speculated to be interested in the Lagos governorship election.

Similarly, the Director-General of the National Institute for Democratic and Legislative Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, and the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Isa Onilu, who have been linked to the Kwara governorship race, also remained in their positions as of the deadline.

The Presidency had stated that the directive was in compliance with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which bars certain political appointees from participating in party primaries while holding public office.

The statement required all interested officials to resign before participating in the electoral process.

Sources who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, familiar with the development, said many appointees chose not to resign due to uncertainty over their chances of securing their party’s nomination.

Investigations indicated that several of the officials were waiting for assurances that they would emerge as consensus candidates in their respective states.

For instance, Adelabu is reportedly locked in an intense contest for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Oyo State, but has yet to secure firm backing from the President.

Similar situations were said to be playing out in Ogun State, involving Bosun Tijani, and in Kwara State, where Onilu and Suleiman are believed to be considering the governorship race.

Although some ministers reportedly requested waivers to enable them to complete pending official duties, sources said President Tinubu had not guaranteed any of them an automatic ticket, further deepening uncertainty among the potential aspirants.