As preparations for the 2027 general elections get underway, President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2026, directed all ministers and political appointees seeking elective office to resign before participating in party primaries.
The directive, issued in line with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 and INEC’s timetable for primaries, was contained in a circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Recall that WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that five ministers in the Tinubu administration resigned to contest in the primaries: former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Transportation Saidu Alkali, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, former Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Yusuf Sununu.
Of the five, only Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and Yusuf Sununu secured APC tickets for the 2027positions.
Onyejeocha secured the APC ticket for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, House of Representatives. She held that seat from 2007 to 2023 before joining Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of State for Labour and Employment. Sununu resigned to pursue his Kebbi State governorship aspiration.
The other three—Adebayo Adelabu, Saidu Alkali, and Yusuf Tuggar—were unsuccessful in their bids.
Adebayo Adelabu
Adelabu resigned to contest the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State but was defeated by Senator Sarafadeen Alli, who polled 578,143 votes to Adelabu’s 19,193.
Before the primary, Adelabu had dismissed claims that Alli had presidential backing, saying, “There was nothing like a consensus arrangement. It was just a figment of their weird imagination.”
After the result, he rejected it, alleging irregularities, intimidation, and voter suppression. He vowed to petition the party leadership and demand sanctions. “If Tinubu were to support any aspirant in the race, it would be me,” he said.
Following his resignation, President Tinubu nominated Joseph Tegbe as Minister of Power. The Senate later confirmed the appointment.
Saidu Alkali
Alkali resigned as Minister of Transportation to run for the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State. He lost to Jamilu Gwamna, widely seen as Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s preferred candidate.
Alkali boycotted the primary, citing a lack of fairness and credibility. He still finished behind former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami, who polled 12,120 votes to Alkali’s 11,612.
The chairman of the APC governorship election committee in Gombe, Senator Abubakar Danladi, said both Pantami and Alkali submitted withdrawal letters after voting began, but their names had already appeared on the ballot.
Yusuf Tuggar
Tuggar resigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs on March 30, 2026, a day before the deadline. He said he was acting in compliance with the president’s directive and the Electoral Act.
He sought the APC governorship ticket in Bauchi State but lost to former Governor Mohammed Abubakar, who polled 57,517 votes to Tuggar’s 26,001, according to committee chairman retired AIG John Bassey Abang.
After Tuggar’s exit, Tinubu appointed Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Both were confirmed by the Senate.
