At least five senior officials serving in the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu have reportedly resigned from their positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The resignations followed an earlier directive issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, instructing political appointees who intend to contest elective positions to step down from their offices.
According to a circular conveying the directive, President Tinubu ordered all political appointees seeking elective offices in 2027 to resign on or before March 31, 2026.
Those affected by the directive include ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, directors-general, and chief executive officers of federal government agencies and parastatals.
The circular explained that the directive aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
Parts of the circular also stressed that the directive is aimed at ensuring fairness and transparency in the electoral process, urging all affected officials to comply strictly while reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.
Following the directive, three ministers and two other senior appointees have reportedly submitted their resignation letters to the presidency, mostly citing their political ambitions in their respective states.
Yusuf Sununu
Former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, stepped down from his position to pursue a senatorial ambition in Kebbi State.
Sununu was initially appointed Minister of State for Education before he was later redeployed to the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry. Before joining the Federal Executive Council, he represented the Ngaski/Shanga/Yauri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives after winning the seat in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
Yusuf Tuggar
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, also resigned from the cabinet as he prepares to contest for the governorship position in Bauchi State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Tuggar served as Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister from 2023 after his appointment and confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. He previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany and was a member of the House of Representatives representing the Gamawa Federal Constituency from 2007.
Saidu Ahmed Alkali
The former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Ahmed Alkali, also resigned in compliance with the presidential directive.
His resignation was confirmed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Umar Jibril. Alkali thanked the president for the confidence placed in him while in office and announced plans to contest the governorship election in Gombe State under the APC platform.
Nasir Yusuf Gawuna
Former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, resigned as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.
Gawuna, who was the APC governorship candidate in Kano State during the 2023 election, tendered his resignation on March 30, 2026.
Abdulrazak Namdas
Also stepping down is Abdulrazak Namdas, who served as a member of the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission representing the North-East Zone.
Namdas, an indigene of Adamawa State, resigned to contest an elective position in the 2027 elections. Reports indicate that he may be preparing to run in the governorship race in the state.
