Four Tinubu Ministers Resign for 2027 Elections as Others Stay Put Despite Deadline

President Bola Tinubu ordered all political appointees planning to contest the 2027 general elections to resign by March 31. The directive, issued through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was clear enough. Ministers, special advisers, heads of agencies, anyone with elective ambitions had to leave.

Only four ministers actually did.

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

The ones who stayed

Several other ministers and appointees widely linked to 2027 ambitions did not resign before the deadline. The list includes Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, who has been connected to the Oyo governorship race; Minister of Health Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, linked to the Bauchi governorship; and Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani, reportedly associated with the Ogun governorship contest.

Minister of Agriculture Senator Abubakar Kyari has been mentioned in connection with the Borno governorship. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila was previously speculated to be interested in the Lagos governorship. Neither resigned.

Why they held back

Sources familiar with the situation told the Nigerian Tribune that many appointees chose not to resign due to uncertainty over their chances of securing their party’s nomination. Several were reportedly waiting for assurances that they would emerge as consensus candidates in their respective states.

Adelabu, for instance, is said to be locked in a tough contest for the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State but has yet to secure firm backing from the President. Similar situations are playing out in Ogun and Kwara states.

Some ministers reportedly requested waivers to complete pending official duties, but sources said President Tinubu had not guaranteed any of them an automatic ticket, which only deepened the uncertainty.

What the law says

The Presidency stated that the resignation 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 gap between the directive and actual compliance raises questions about enforcement. If ministers with known political ambitions can simply ignore the deadline without consequence, the rule starts to look more like a suggestion. That has implications not just for the APC’s internal dynamics but for the broader principle that public office and political campaigns should not mix.

As of now, the cabinet operates with at least four vacancies and several more ministers who may be physically in office but mentally on the campaign trail.

Sources: Naija News, Punch, Premium Times, Tribune Online, Legit.ng