Politics

2027: Ministers Who May Resign Before Tinubu’s March 31 Deadline

Published

2 months ago

March 22, 2026

Tinubu’s oil revenue Executive Order TINUBU
At least six ministers in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet may resign ahead of the President’s March 31 deadline for his political appointees seeking elective office in the 2027 general elections.

Contents
Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari

Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani

A directive from Tinubu, issued through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, mandates all affected officials to step down before participating in party primaries.

The order is pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In the circular signed by Akume and issued by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the government stated that the resignation requirement applies to all categories of presidential political appointees, including ministers, special advisers, senior special assistants, and heads of federal agencies.

“All affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than March 31, 2026,” the statement said.

Ahead of the deadline, Tribune Online takes a look at ministers who may comply with the directive to join the race for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective states.

Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu
Bayo Adelabu is among the most prominent figures who may be preparing to exit the cabinet. A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), he has built a strong political profile in Oyo State over the past decade.

Adelabu contested the governorship election in 2019 under the APC and again in 2023 under the Accord Party, losing both times to Governor Seyi Makinde. His renewed ambition for 2027 is seen as a continuation of his long-standing political project in the state.

According to Nigerian Tribune, Adelabu had, in October 2025, declared that it is his turn to become the governor of Oyo State in 2027.

In a viral video sighted by Tribune Online at the time, Adelabu, while addressing a gathering, said his ambition was not driven by selfish motives but by a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people of Oyo State.

Speaking in Yoruba, he said, “I have been on this political journey for quite some time. In politics, I have learned that one may not always get what one deserves in a single attempt — life and politics have both taught me this lesson.

“I have paid my dues. I contested alongside Seyi Makinde in 2019 and again in 2023.

“Today, I declare: it is our turn — it is my turn in 2027, as God has revealed it. Adelabu! Àwálòkàn! Penkelemesi Èmilòkàn!

“We will begin our door-to-door campaign in earnest, and by the grace of God and our collective efforts, victory is not only possible — it is certain.”

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, is a public health expert with both national and international experience. He previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health between July 2011 and July 2013 under former President Goodluck Jonathan and later worked as Director of the Global Financing Facility (GFF) at the World Bank Group.

Pate has contested the Bauchi governorship in the past and remains an influential figure in the state’s politics, keeping him in contention for another possible run.

Some groups have continued to project him as a strong contender for the Bauchi governorship in 2027. One of such groups, the Bakaro/Dangikka Primary School Old Boys Association, described him as a suitable candidate for the position.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Umar Musa, and titled “Why Bauchi needs Professor Ali Pate as Governor, 2027”, the association called on him to contest, stating that, “It’s time for a new era of purposeful and progressive leadership in Bauchi State with a vision, experience and dedication to Public Service.”

The group added that, “In our view and candid opinion, the present Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Mohammed Ali Pate is best man for the job.”

It further stated that, “Pate is Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development. Achievements and qualifications makes him the best candidate that has all it takes to become the next Bauchi State Governor 2027.”

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari
Kyari was first elected into the House of Representatives in 1998 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha under the platform of the United Nigeria Congress Party. He later rose within the All Progressives Congress (APC), serving as Deputy National Chairman (North), a position that strengthened his influence within the party.

He was elected to the Senate in 2015 on the platform of the APC and re-elected in 2019, serving until April 2022 when he resigned to assume the role of Deputy National Chairman (North). He briefly served as Acting National Chairman of the party in July 2023 following the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu, before his appointment as Minister of Agriculture and Food Security by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023 after Senate confirmation.

Although he has not made any official declaration, many groups, including Borno Social Media Frontiers (BSF), have tipped Kyari as a potential contender to succeed Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali
The former three-term senator who represented Gombe North in the 6th, 7th and 9th assemblies is believed to be working from Abuja to clinch the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State.

Alkali’s political career has spanned both legislative and executive roles. He previously served as Commissioner for Information in Gombe State and later chaired the Senate Committee on the Nigerian Air Force.

His experience and political network have made many to tipped him for the APC governorship ticket in the state.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is also expected to consider leaving the cabinet to pursue his governorship ambition in Bauchi State, setting up a potential contest within the APC.

He previously served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, representing Gamawa Federal Constituency, and has contested the governorship twice.

His ambition dates back to 2011 when he ran under the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and again in 2015 when he lost the APC primaries. He is now widely regarded as a strong contender in the state.

A Bauchi-based pressure group, the Bauchi South Concern Citizens Movement, called on Tuggar at a meeting held a few months ago to contest the 2027 governorship election, citing the need for power rotation to Bauchi North after years of leadership from Bauchi South.

An APC elder, Abdullahi Usman Matori, who spoke at the meeting, defended the call for Bauchi North to produce the state’s next governor, noting that Bauchi South has held the position since 1999.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani
Bosun Tijani is widely recognised for his background in the technology sector. He is the co-founder of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), one of Africa’s leading innovation centres, and earned a PhD in innovation and economic development from the University of Leicester in 2023.

Since his appointment, he has focused on digital infrastructure, startup support and tech-driven economic growth.

Although he has yet to formally declare his intention to contest any elective position, Tijani has also been tipped as a potential contender for the Ogun State governorship in 2027.
(TRIBUNE)

Politics

2027: Daniel-Abiodun Feud Deepens Over Senatorial Ticket For Ogun East

Published

8 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Editor

… as Govt accuses Daniel of demonising consensus arrangement that made him Senator

…I will defeat Abiodun in free, fair primary – Daniel boasted

The rift between Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, deepened yesterday as the state government accused the senator of opposing the same consensus arrangement that paved the way for his emergence as the district’s senatorial candidate in 2023.

Daniel, despite the unanimous endorsement of Abiodun by some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the zone as the party’s consensus candidate for the senatorial seat, still went ahead to obtain the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for a return to the Senate in the 2027 elections.

As at Tuesday, the party leaders also formerly formally presented and endorsed the governor as the consensus candidate of the zone for the 2027 senatorial election, describing the endorsement as a collective decision aimed at ensuring quality representation and sustaining party unity in the district.

However, Daniel argued that only a transparent and credible primary could settle the tussle between him and Abiodun to clinch the senatorial ticket of the party, expressing confidence that he would beat the governor in a free and fair primary election.

“Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not just win, I will win overwhelmingly” he said.

But, speaking on the development, yesterday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, accused the former governor and of demonising the same process of consensus arrangement that made him Senator simply because it no longer aligns with his personal ambition.

Akinmade expressed shocked that Daniel could resort to what he described as ” cheap propaganda and outright falsehood” move against the decision of the party because of his personal ambition after immensely benefited from the consensus arrangement that made him Senator in 2023.

“Daniel is simply fighting the same consensus arrangement and party structure that produced him as senator in 2023. It is shocking that someone who benefited immensely from the collective decision of the party is now demonising the same process simply because it no longer aligns with his personal ambition.

“The governor ensured a peaceful consensus arrangement that paved the way for Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate. It is therefore ironic that the same individual now seeks to discredit the party and its leadership merely because he could not have his way politically,” he added.

Akinmade urged the people of the state particularly in Ijebuland from Ogun East Senatorial District to remain appreciative of the developmental strides of the Abiodun administration, especially in infrastructure renewal and road rehabilitation.

“Everybody in the state, especially in Ijebuland, appreciates the modest achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Most of the deplorable roads abandoned by previous administrations have now been fixed, while about 29 major road projects have been completed in Ijebu Ode alone,” he said.

The SA also faulted the former governor’s comparison of federal allocations received during his tenure as governor with those accruing to the current administration, accusing him of deliberately ignoring prevailing economic realities and the sharp depreciation of the naira.
(GUARDIAN)

Politics

2027: APC Clears Delta Speaker, Disqualifies 36 Aspirants

Published

8 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Editor

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State has cleared the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dennis Guwor and 45 others for the Assembly election primaries.

The party announced this after a two-day screening of aspirants at the APC Secretariat in Asaba.

The screening committee released the result in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Uche Uzochukwu, and Secretary, Dr Chiedozie Nwafor, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Asaba, on Wednesday.

According to the committee, 82 aspirants appeared before the panel ahead of the party’s primary election.

It disclosed that 46 aspirants sailed through after detailed verification of the credentials and eligibility requirements.

The committee, however, disqualified 36 aspirants over alleged irregularities and violations of party guidelines.

It explained that Guwor emerged as the only aspirant cleared for Warri South-West.

Of the number, 17 serving lawmakers of the eighth Assembly seeking to renew their mandate were also cleared for the APC primaries, three former commissioners also secured clearance to continue in the race.

They include Funyei Manager (Bomadi), Harry Trakirlowei (Patani), and Orode Uduaghan (Warri North).

The committee listed attempt to induce and bribe panel members among reasons for the disqualifications, while others were accused of submitting unsworn affidavits and failing to present their Permanent Voter Cards.

Some aspirants were also disqualified for failing to provide valid APC membership slips as well as inconsistencies in dates of birth and differences in names on official documents.

The committee also accused some aspirants of failing to confirm payment of party dues.

According to the committee, some nomination forms contained irregular membership numbers and insufficient ward nominators.

The committee also raised concerns over alleged violations of zoning arrangements in some constituencies.

It warned that ignoring zoning agreements could affect the party’s chances during the 2027 General Elections.

The committee said that some aspirants failed to resign from political appointments as required under the Electoral Act.

Others allegedly submitted multiple or invalid affidavits that did not properly disclose facts about their records and certificates.

The committee maintained that the exercise was transparent and strictly guided by APC rules and the Electoral Act.

“The committee carried out its responsibilities with fairness, diligence, and utmost commitment to the integrity of the party.

“We ensured that only aspirants, who met the constitutional and procedural requirements of the APC, were cleared to proceed,” the statement said.

The statement further explained that the screening aimed to strengthen internal democracy within the party, ahead of the 2027 elections.

It congratulated successful aspirants and urged disqualified contestants not to see the decision as final.

According to the statement, dissatisfied aspirants could approach the party’s Screening Appeal Committee for redress.

NAN

Politics

2027: PDP Amends Timetable Ahead Of Primary Election

Published

9 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Editor

The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has amended the timetable ahead of the party primary election.

This contained in a statement jointly signed by the fractional National Publicity Secretary, ini Ememobong, and National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan, on Wednesday.

The statement said the amendment became necessary due to appeals from stakeholders and aspirants across the country.

“In response to the appeals from stakeholders and aspirants across the country, the Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has amended the earlier published timetable for activities culminating in the nomination of candidates activities as follows:

“End of Purchase of forms – 15th May, 2026

“Last date for the submission of completed forms – 18th May, 2026

“Screening of Aspirants – 19th May, 2026.

“Aspirants for National and State Assemblies will be screened at their respective states, while Gubernatorial and Presidential Aspirants will be screened in Abuja.

“Other activities will remain as previously announced,” the statement read.