On 18 March 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed all ministers and political appointees seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections to resign before participating in party primaries. This directive, issued through a circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, aligned with the Electoral Act and the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ex-Ministers Enter Political Contests
Following the presidential directive, several members of the Federal Executive Council resigned to pursue various political ambitions under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Among them were former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Transportation Saidu Alkali, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar. Others included former Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Yusuf Sununu.
While Onyejeocha and Sununu successfully secured party tickets, others faced defeats in their respective primaries.
Adelabu Loses Oyo Governorship Primary
Former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu resigned to contest the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State but lost decisively to Senator Sarafadeen Alli. Alli reportedly garnered 578,143 votes, while Adelabu managed only 19,193 votes. Adelabu had earlier dismissed claims of a consensus arrangement backing his opponent, stating, "There was nothing like consensus arrangement. It was just a figment of their weird imagination." After the primary, he rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities and intimidation. "Some of my supporters were prevented from voting, intimidated, and chased away from polling centres," he claimed.
Alkali Loses Gombe Governorship Ticket
Former Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali also resigned to contest the APC governorship primary in Gombe State. However, he lost the ticket to Jamilu Gwamna in a contest that also featured former minister Isa Pantami. Pantami reportedly scored 12,120 votes, while Alkali polled 11,612 votes. Alkali later alleged that the exercise lacked fairness and credibility, distancing himself from the process after withdrawing during voting.
Tuggar Defeated in Bauchi APC Primary
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar resigned shortly before the deadline to pursue the APC governorship ticket in Bauchi State. He was defeated by former Governor Mohammed Abubakar. According to the APC election committee in the state, Abubakar polled 57,517 votes, while Tuggar secured 26,001 votes. Tuggar had earlier complied with the presidential directive, stating, "Today, I formally submitted my resignation letter as Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs…"
Political Implications Ahead of 2027
The outcomes highlight the mixed fortunes of ex-ministers who left office to pursue electoral ambitions under APC. While some secured nominations, others suffered significant defeats, reshaping internal party dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a related development, Boluwatife Fayose, son of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, emerged as the APC candidate for the Irepodun-Ifelodun 2 State Constituency for the 2027 Ekiti State House of Assembly election. Other winners included Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye, Deputy Speaker Bolaji Olagbaju, and Chairman of Ekiti South-West Local Government Richard Apolola.
