At least four ministers in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu may leave their positions as political activities for the 2027 general elections begin to gather pace across the country.
The possible exit is linked to the plan by some members of the Federal Executive Council to contest elections in their home states, especially in states where current governors will complete their constitutionally allowed two terms in 2027.
Among those said to be preparing for political contests are the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The development comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission released a revised election timetable which fixed party primaries between April 22 and May 20 ahead of the 2027 polls.
Under the Electoral Act 2026, political appointees are not allowed to take part in party primaries as aspirants or delegates unless they step down from their appointments before the exercise begins.
The law makes it clear that ministers, commissioners, special advisers and other political office holders must resign before participating in party primaries.
One of the ministers believed to be preparing to leave the cabinet is Adelabu, who is said to be planning another attempt at the Oyo State governorship seat under the All Progressives Congress.
Adelabu had earlier contested the governorship election in the state but lost to Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023. Before joining the cabinet, he also served as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
An aide to the minister, Femi Awogboro, confirmed that Adelabu intends to contest for the governorship position in Oyo State. He explained that President Tinubu has not asked the minister to resign from his position yet, noting that only the president has the authority to give such instruction.
Apart from Oyo State, political discussions are also ongoing in Bauchi State where two ministers, Pate and Tuggar, are believed to be considering the governorship contest.
Pate, who comes from Misau Local Government Area of the state, has previously shown interest in the governorship race. He first made his intention known in 2015 when he planned to run under the Peoples Democratic Party.
He later contested the governorship election in 2019 under the Peoples Redemption Party after failing to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress during the party primaries. In 2023, he again attempted to obtain the APC governorship ticket but was unsuccessful.
A coordinator at the Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, said there are strong indications that the minister may take part in the contest following pressure from supporters.
Meanwhile, Tuggar, who also comes from Bauchi State, is said to be considering the same governorship position.
The minister, who is from Gamawa Local Government Area, had earlier contested the position in the past and is believed to have continued his political activities within the state.
His Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed that Tuggar is interested in contesting the Bauchi governorship seat.
Abdulkadir explained that the minister would follow the guidelines and timetable already released by the Independent National Electoral Commission when the time comes.
Both Pate and Tuggar were present at the Bauchi State APC convention held on March 3, 2026, a development that further increased discussions about their possible political ambitions.
In Abia State, the Minister of State for Labour, Onyejeocha, is also said to be considering a return to the National Assembly.
She previously spent 16 years in the House of Representatives, representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi constituency between 2007 and 2023.
Sources close to the situation said she may be planning to return to the lower chamber of the National Assembly after serving in the current cabinet.
