Political Appointees Hesitate to Resign Ahead of 2027 Elections
As the deadline set by the federal government for political appointees seeking elective positions to resign approaches, no minister has yet tendered their resignation. However, a few high-ranking officials have taken steps to exit their posts in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.
One such individual is Nasir Bala Aminu, a Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Citizenship and Leadership, who resigned his appointment over the weekend. Other top appointees are reportedly considering similar moves.
President Tinubu had instructed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the forthcoming general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026. According to the directive, those who have not submitted their resignation letters by Tuesday may forfeit their political ambitions to retain their current positions.
The presidency explained that the directive is based on the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections. The circular affects a wide range of officials, including ministers, special advisers, senior special assistants, directors-general, and chief executive officers of federal government parastatals, agencies, commissions, and government-owned companies.
Reasons for Hesitation
Investigations indicate that many ministers are hesitant to leave the cabinet because they are waiting for what they call “the right signals” to do so. This includes assurance that they will be given the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets for the positions they are interested in vying for.
Some sources suggest that the appointees are uncertain about how the President might react to their resignation, fearing it could be interpreted as an act of ingratitude or discontent with the present assignment. A source explained that the ministers are consulting widely to see if there would be further communication on the matter before taking the final leap.
Daily Trust learned that some appointees have decided to wait until the APC National Convention to gauge the mood of the President through those close to him and to seek assurance from the presidency that they would be supported to get the party’s ticket, since the primaries are going to be largely through consensus.
Historical Context
Recall that during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, some appointees took the risks and resigned their appointments, but only a few, like Darius Ishaku of Taraba, could secure the tickets of the then ruling party after leaving the cabinet. Samuel Ortom, from Benue, who resigned as minister, could not get the PDP ticket but had to run to the opposition APC to be offered the governorship ticket.
Bala Mohammed faced a similar situation in 2015 when he was serving as minister of the FCT. When he weighed the prospects and saw that the Buhari effect might sweep PDP out of Bauchi, he declined to contest and held on to his ministerial position.
Analysts suggest that during Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, those serving under him were clear about the level of support they would receive, making it easier for them to step aside and contest elections. It was through such support that Obasanjo’s close associates like Liyem Imoke, Babangida Aliyu, and Kashim Imam were able to secure the tickets of the ruling party.
In the current dispensation, apart from the directive for them to resign, there have been no further communications or words of encouragement. Some aspirants are uncertain of securing support from their governors back home and instead rely on the presidency to step in and secure the governors’ backing for the plan.
Specific Cases
Kyari, from Borno State, faces three obstacles to quitting the cabinet: getting a guarantee from the President, winning the heart of Vice President Kashim Shettima, and ensuring that Governor Babagana Zulum does not have his own agenda.
In Bauchi, both Prof Muhammad Ali Pate and Yusuf Maitama Tuggar are interested in running for the office of governor. Each aspirant must first be certain of securing presidential backing for the ticket before relinquishing their current position.
In Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu appears poised to test the waters once he secures the President’s nod. Observers say that without presidential backing, clinching the APC ticket could prove a Herculean task, as many party stalwarts in the state view his ambition as encroaching on their chances of securing ministerial appointments and are reluctant to support him.
With the reported support that the Lagos State deputy governor, Femi Kadri Hamzat, is said to be getting from the presidency, it would be a surprise if Muri Okunola resigns his current position as principal private secretary, which guarantees his closeness to the President, unless the tide changes.
For the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, who is from Ogun State and has his eyes set on becoming the next governor of the state, it is not clear what is still holding him from resigning. He is said to be young and vibrant, but may not be ready to confront the powers that be in the state unless he gets the express intervention of Mr. President.
In Gombe State, Senator Saidu Alkali, who represented Gombe North senatorial district in the sixth, seventh, and ninth Senate, has supporters who are upbeat that he will resign and contest the governorship seat.
Other appointees, such as Dr. Mathias Byuan and Barr. Pius Akutah in Benue State, are also eyeing the governorship seat in 2027. In Yobe State, two public office holders at the federal level are expected to resign their positions to contest the governorship election in the forthcoming polls.
