President Bola Tinubu has seen seven of his appointees resign from their positions to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship tickets in their respective states ahead of the 2027 general elections. The developments made headlines as these individuals sought to secure the party's ticket for the gubernatorial race.
Among the seven appointees were two ministers, both of whom lost their bids. The fate of their return to the cabinet remains uncertain, as replacements have already been appointed for their previous roles.
List of Tinubu's Appointees Who Resigned
Below is the comprehensive list of the seven appointees who resigned to contest the APC governorship primaries, along with the outcomes of their efforts.
1. Yusuf Tuggar
Yusuf Tuggar, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, resigned to contest the APC governorship ticket in Bauchi State. Despite high expectations, he lost to Mohammed Abubakar. Following his resignation, President Tinubu elevated the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to the position of substantive Minister of Foreign Affairs.
2. Adebayo Adelabu
Adebayo Adelabu, the former Minister of Power, resigned to contest the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State. He lost the race to Senator Sharafadeen Alli. President Tinubu subsequently appointed Joseph Tegbe, a fiscal and economic reform expert, as the new Minister of Power.
3. Rauf Olaniyan
Rauf Olaniyan was the chairman of the governing council of the Federal College of Education (Special) in Oyo State. He resigned to contest the Oyo State governorship ticket but lost to Sharafadeen Alli. President Tinubu has yet to announce a replacement for Olaniyan, and it remains unclear if he will be recalled.
4. Saidu Alkali
Saidu Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, resigned to join the governorship race in Gombe State. He lost the APC ticket to Jamilu Gwamna. President Tinubu has not yet appointed a successor for Alkali.
5. Abdulrazak Namdas
Abdulrazak Namdas was appointed as a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board representing the North East. He resigned to contest the APC governorship ticket in Adamawa State but lost to Ahmed Galadima. His position on the NDDC board remains unfilled.
6. Ahmed Galadima
Ahmed Galadima served as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). He resigned to contest the APC governorship ticket in Adamawa State and emerged victorious, defeating Abdulrazak Namdas with 414,444 votes. He is the only appointee who resigned and won the APC governorship ticket.
7. Nasiru Gawuna
Nasiru Gawuna was the chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). He resigned not only from his position but also from the APC, joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to contest the Kano governorship ticket. However, he failed to secure the NDC ticket. Instead, he settled for a senatorial seat, as announced by NDC leader Rabiu Kwankwaso on May 29. Gawuna will contest the Kano Central senatorial ticket under the NDC in the 2027 elections.
Outcome Summary
- Won: Ahmed Galadima (Adamawa)
- Lost: Yusuf Tuggar, Adebayo Adelabu, Rauf Olaniyan, Saidu Alkali, Abdulrazak Namdas
- Settled for Senate: Nasiru Gawuna (NDC, Kano Central)
These resignations and primaries have reshaped the political landscape as the 2027 elections approach.
