As the March 31 deadline for political appointees in Nigeria to resign ahead of the 2027 general elections approaches, only one minister has tendered resignation, revealing a cautious approach among other top officials. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed political appointees planning to contest elective offices to resign by the deadline. The directive, which stems from Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, affects various officials, including ministers, state ministers, special advisers, and directors-general.
Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu, Nasir Bala Aminu, also known as Ja’oji, resigned over the weekend, signaling a potential trend among other appointees. However, checks by correspondents indicate that at least 14 appointees, including ministers, are considering running for governorship seats in their respective states. These include Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani, Principal Private Secretary Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Minister of Transport Senator Saidu Alkali, Minister for Agriculture Senator Abubakar Kyari, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Ministers are hesitant to quit their cabinet positions due to uncertainty about receiving support from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the positions they aim to contest. Some are waiting for further communication from the party or presidency on protecting their interests. Observers note that ministers are consulting widely to gauge the President’s mood and seek assurance of support.
The situation echoes historical precedents, with some appointees, like Darius Ishaku and Samuel Ortom, resigning during the Goodluck Jonathan administration but facing mixed results. During Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, clear support from the presidency facilitated the resignation and election success of associates like Liyel Imoke and Babangida Aliyu.
In the current scenario, some aspirants are uncertain about securing support from their governors and rely on the presidency to intervene. Cases like Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and Principal Private Secretary Muri-Okunola await the President’s nod before making a decision.
In Oyo State, Adelabu is cautious about his ambition, aware of the challenges in securing the APC ticket without presidential backing. Similarly, Muri-Okunola’s resignation is contingent on presidential endorsement, as his current position guarantees his proximity to the President.
The situation in Bauchi State is unique, with two key ministers eyeing the governorship seat. Minister for Agriculture Pate and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tuggar have been running for the position since 2015, and both are holding onto their ministries without guarantees of support.
In Benue State, Executive Director of Federal Housing Authority Dr. Mathias Byuan and Managing Director of Nigerian Shippers Council Barr. Pius Akutah are among the aspirants yet to resign. They await the outcome of calls for their resignation and contesting the governorship seat.
Source: Daily Trust
