As the 2027 general election draws nearer, seven officials in the President Bola Tinubu’s administration have resigned. WITHIN NIGERIA learned that seven officials have resigned from their positions to pursue political ambitions following the March 31 deadline issued by the President.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective positions in the 2027 general elections to resign from their offices on or before March 31, 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier announced the dates for the 2027 general elections: February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Assembly elections.
According to INEC’s chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the announcement was in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Here is a list of public officials who resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s administration:
Yusuf Tuggar
Yusuf Tuggar was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in August 2023. He had previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023. He resigned on March 30, 2026, to contest the governorship of Bauchi State. He hails from Gamawa Local Government Area.
Yusuf Sununu
He was appointed as the Minister of State for Education in August 2023. He was transferred to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction as a Minister for State in November 2024. He had previously served as a lawmaker representing Ngaski/Shanga/Yauri Federal Constituency of Kebbi State. He resigned on March 30, 2026, to contest for Kebbi South Senatorial District in the 2027 general election.
Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali
He was appointed as the Minister of Transportation in August, 2023. He had previously served as a senator (2010-2023). He resigned on March 31, 2026 to contest for Gombe gubernatorial poll in 2027.
Nasiru Gawuna
He was appointed as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in January 2025. He had previously served as a former deputy governor in Kano. He resigned on March 27, 2026, to contest for the Kano State Governorship election. Unconfirmed reports claimed that he has aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Abdulrazak Namdas
He was appointed as a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), representing the North-East. He resigned on March 30, 2026 to participate in the 2027 Adamawa Governorship election.
Ahmed Galadima Aminu
He was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). He resigned on March 30, 2026 to purse the Adamawa State governorship under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rauf Olaniyan
He was appointed as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo. He had previously served as a Deputy Governor in Oyo State. He resigned on March 23, 2026 to contest for the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State.
