Politics

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

Published

1 month 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

PDP Loses Five Reps, APC Two In Fresh Defections

Published

20 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

A fresh wave of defections swept through the House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers realigned across party lines in what appears to be early positioning for the 2027 general elections.

At the resumption of plenary after the Easter break, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, read out a series of defection letters, reflecting a growing fluidity within Nigeria’s political space.

He dismissed concerns that the trend signalled an attempt to edge the country toward a one-party system, insisting instead that it underscores democratic freedom.

“This is to show the country that no party is stiffled. People are leaving the majority party to the minority parties and the minority parties to the majority party. This is the beauty of democracy,” Kalu said.

One of the notable movements came from Lagos, where Thaddeus Attah, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, dumped the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress.

In his letter, Attah attributed his decision to “the protracted crisis in the leadership of the LP,” which he said has hampered effective representation of his constituents in recent months.

The Peoples Democratic Party emerged as the biggest casualty of the latest round of defections, losing five members.

Among them, Abubakar Abdul from Niger State defected to the All Progressives Congress, while Yakubu Noma (Kebbi) joined the ADC and Ibrahim Mohammed (also from Kebbi) moved to the APC.

In Osun State, two lawmakers—Mudashiru Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa) and Adetunji Olusoji (Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe)—left the PDP for the Accord Party.

However, the APC also recorded losses. David Fuoh (Taraba) defected to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair (Kaduna) joined the ADC, highlighting the two-way nature of the shifting alliances.

Defections are not new in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as election cycles approach. With less than two years to the 2027 polls, lawmakers are increasingly recalibrating their positions in response to internal party disputes, electoral calculations, and evolving regional dynamics.

The current wave is partly driven by lingering leadership crises within parties—most notably in the PDP and LP—as both major and smaller parties intensify efforts to strengthen their ranks ahead of primaries.

For many legislators, party affiliation is often influenced by prospects for re-election, access to party structures, and alignment with influential political blocs at the state and national levels.

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained a numerical advantage in the House, but opposition parties have continued to jostle for relevance through strategic defections and coalition-building.

The emergence of parties like the ADC as beneficiaries of defections suggests a gradual diversification of the political space beyond the traditional dominance of the APC and PDP.

Analysts say the trend may intensify in the coming months as parties finalise their internal structures and aspirants begin to test their popularity ahead of primaries.

For now, Tuesday’s developments reinforce a familiar pattern: in Nigeria’s legislature, party loyalty often remains fluid, especially when electoral stakes are high.

The House adjourned plenary to Wednesday in honour of Kano lawmaker Hassan Danjuma, who died on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.

Politics

Delta North Youths Reject Okowa’s Senatorial Ambition

Published

3 days ago

April 19, 2026

Editor

A coalition of youths from the nine local government areas of Delta North has rejected the reported senatorial ambition of former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, ahead of the 2027 elections.

The position was made known at a press conference in Agbor, where the group’s spokesman, Benjamin Atagana Ofochi, accused Okowa of dominating the zone’s political space for decades.

The development comes days after political figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly urged the former governor to contest for the Delta North senatorial seat in 2027.

The youth group argued that Okowa should step aside to allow other aspirants to emerge, citing what it described as long-standing control of political offices in the state since 1991.

They also referenced allegations of financial misconduct currently being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging him to focus on addressing those issues.

The coalition further raised concerns over what it described as an attempt to concentrate political power within one family, alleging that Okowa’s daughter is also seeking elective office.

According to the group, such developments could limit opportunities for broader participation in governance within the district.

The youths called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC leadership, and party delegates to ensure a transparent primary process for selecting candidates in Delta North.

They warned that they would mobilise against any perceived imposition of candidates, insisting on what they described as inclusive and competitive politics in the district.

Politics

VIDEO: I Will Beat Tinubu Flat In Free, Fair Election — Dino Melaye Boasts

Published

3 days ago

April 19, 2026

Editor

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has stated that he would defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a free and fair election.

Melaye made the declaration during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Mic On, where he criticised the current administration and expressed confidence in his chances if given a level playing field.

He argued that any presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would perform better than President Tinubu.

“Anybody among those interested in the presidency in ADC would do one million times better than Tinubu. They can never be a worse president than Tinubu. They can never be.”

Expressing confidence in his own chances, he stated, “Me? Dino Melaye. Let’s go. Let’s go on a free and fair election.”

Melaye further described the president as unpopular among Nigerians, adding, “Today, Bola Tinubu is the most unpopular politician in Nigeria.”

He insisted he would secure a decisive victory in an election against Tinubu if the process is credible.

The former lawmaker also called for an open electoral process, warning against any attempt to undermine democracy.

“Let him allow a free and fair contest. And if he doesn’t allow it, we will make him conduct our election because he doesn’t want election. He wants to be Kabiyesi. He wants to be Igwe. We will not allow that to happen in Nigeria. It will not happen.”

On political alliances in ADC, Melaye dismissed interest in joint ticket arrangements, emphasising his focus on unseating the current administration.

“My brother, I am not interested in any joint ticket or non-joint ticket. My own for now is that we must send Tinubu away.”

He added that he would support any candidate who emerges through ADC processes.