May 23, 2026
Photo collage of ex-ministers, Saidu Alkali, Yusuf Tuggar and Adebayo Adelabu.
On March 18, 2026, President Bola Tinubu directed ministers and political appointees seeking elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections to resign from their positions before participating in party primaries, in line with the Electoral Act.
Vanguard had reported that the directive, contained in a circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was “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 for party primaries.”
Barely months after complying with the directive, some former ministers who resigned to pursue political ambitions are already counting losses after failing to secure party tickets in the primaries conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
