Ministers, others with political ambition get March 31 quit date
Ministers, special advisers and heads of agencies eyeing elective positions in next year’s general election have been given a 13-day notice to resign. The March 31 deadline was served through
- Directive issued to create level-playing ground for aspirants
Ministers, special advisers and heads of agencies eyeing elective positions in next year’s general election have been given a 13-day notice to resign.
The March 31 deadline was served through a directive by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume.
Head of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Nengak Goshit, said the presidential directive was to ensure compliance with electoral laws and safeguard the integrity of the political process ahead of the polls.
“The decision is in line with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries,” Goshit explained in the statement.
According to the INEC timetable, primaries to pick candidates for the January and February elections must be held between April 23 and May 30.
Political parties are thereafter expected to submit their lists along with the e-register of their members.
The directive applies to a broad category of presidential appointees.
Those affected by the circular include ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants and personal assistants to the President, as well as directors-general and chief executive officers of parastatals, agencies, commissions and Federal Government-owned companies.
Other political appointees serving under the President are also affected by the presidential directive.
The statement specified that all affected officials must submit their letters of resignation through the OSGF not later than March 31, 2026.
Among those believed to be nursing ambitions to take shots at the governorship seats are Power minister Adebayo Adelabu (Oyo), Agriculture and Food Security minister Abubakar Kyari (Borno), Transportation minister Ahmed Alkali (Gombe), Foreign Affairs minister Yusuf Tuggar (Bauchi) and Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Abia), among others.
Adelabu has been frequently travelling to Oyo to organise and rally support for his ambition.
Similarly, Tuggar has been engaging with stakeholders.
Kyari, a former acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a member of the Borno State political leadership now under Vice President Kashim Shettima.
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If the leadership picks Kyari, he will leave the cabinet.
It was learnt that Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris is believed to be under pressure to challenge Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago.
But Idris has turned down his supporters’ request for two reasons: his desire to continue in service with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver on the Renewed Hope agenda, and not to “rock the boat because Governor Bago is still in his first term”.
The President was quoted as stressing that the notice became necessary to promote transparency and fairness in the electoral process, while preventing conflict of interest.
He noted that the directive would help create a level playing field for all aspirants and reinforce public confidence in the conduct of party primaries and the broader electoral system.
The President also urged strict compliance with the directive, reiterating his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring credible elections.
The development comes as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Parties are expected to commence their nomination processes in line with INEC timetable.
