Six Tinubu Appointees Resign to Pursue 2027 Political Ambitions
In a significant political development, six political appointees have resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's cabinet to pursue their ambitions for the 2027 general elections. The resignations occurred before the deadline of Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as reported by The Punch, highlighting a strategic move by these individuals to contest various positions across Nigeria.
Key Resignations and Their Political Goals
Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, resigned on Monday, March 30, 2026, to contest the governorship of Bauchi State under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His departure marks a notable shift as he aims to transition from federal to state-level politics.
Sa'idu Ahmed Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, resigned on Tuesday after a meeting with President Tinubu. Alkali is set to contest the Gombe State governorship under the APC, further illustrating the trend of ministers seeking gubernatorial roles.
Rauf Olaniyan, former Oyo State Deputy Governor, tendered his resignation on Monday, March 23, 2026, as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo. He explained that his decision is to enable him to contest for the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State, emphasizing a clear focus on local political aspirations.
Other Appointees Resigning for 2027 Elections
Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, resigned to allegedly position himself for political opportunities ahead of the 2027 election. A former lawmaker representing Ngaski/Shanga/Yauri Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, his move suggests a broader realignment within the political landscape.
Nasiru Gawuna, former Kano State Deputy Governor, resigned as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). He aims to pursue his political ambitions and has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), indicating a shift in party loyalties ahead of the upcoming elections.
Abdulrazak Namdas, an Adamawa State indigene, resigned from his role as a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), where he represented the North-East. He is reportedly preparing to contest the governorship election in his state, showcasing regional political ambitions.
Ahmed Galadima Aminu resigned as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to pursue the Adamawa State governorship under the APC, adding to the list of appointees targeting state leadership roles.
Context and Related Developments
Amid these resignations, there has been speculation about other cabinet members. For instance, President Bola Tinubu's Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, denied reports of his resignation linked to gubernatorial ambitions in Oyo State, where he previously contested in the 2023 elections. Adelabu recently faced criticism over a week-long power outage, which he attributed to a shortage of gas supply, highlighting ongoing challenges in his portfolio.
In response to the resignations, President Tinubu has made new appointments to fill vacant positions. He appointed Senator Ibrahim Ida, a former Katsina Central lawmaker, as the chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), as announced by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy. Additionally, the president nominated seven individuals to fill commissioner positions in the National Population Commission (NPC), ensuring continuity in governance despite the political shifts.
This wave of resignations underscores the dynamic nature of Nigerian politics as key figures reposition themselves for the 2027 electoral cycle, with implications for both federal and state-level governance.
