2027: Only Four Ministers Resign After Tinubu’s Directive

Only Four Ministers Resign After Tinubu’s 2027 Directive
Several appointees linked to elections remained in office past deadline.
Uncertainty over party tickets cited as reason for delayed resignations.

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

The directive, conveyed through a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, required ministers, advisers and heads of agencies seeking elective offices to vacate their roles before the deadline.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that among those who complied is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who resigned to contest the Bauchi State governorship election.

Others include 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, who resigned 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 linked to the 2027 elections did not resign before the deadline. These include the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; the Coordinating Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, who has been linked to the Bauchi governorship race; and the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, reportedly associated with the Ogun governorship contest.

Also mentioned are the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, linked to the Borno governorship race, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, previously speculated to be interested in the Lagos governorship election.

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

The Presidency said the directive was issued in line with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits certain political appointees from participating in party primaries while still holding public office.

Sources familiar with the development said many affected officials declined to resign due to uncertainty over their chances of securing party nominations.

Investigations indicated that several appointees were awaiting assurances of consensus candidacy in their respective states before stepping down.

For instance, Adelabu is said to be engaged in a keen contest for the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Oyo State but is yet to secure firm backing.

Similar uncertainties were reported in Ogun State involving Tijani, and in Kwara State, where Onilu and Suleiman are believed to be weighing their options.

Only Four Ministers Resign After Tinubu’s 2027 Directive

Although some ministers reportedly sought waivers to conclude ongoing official duties, sources said President Tinubu had not guaranteed automatic tickets to any aspirant, further heightening uncertainty among those considering electoral contests.