…March 31 Deadline Looms as Ministers, Aides Weigh Options
By Franklin Adole
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered all political appointees nursing ambitions for the 2027 general elections to resign on or before March 31, 2026, a directive that could trigger a wave of high-profile exits from the Federal Executive Council, including Ministers Bello Matawalle, Adegboyega Oyetola, Adebayo Adelabu and others.
The directive, conveyed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and signed for SGF George Akume, compels ministers, special advisers, directors-general, and other presidential appointees intending to contest party primaries to quit office ahead of the electoral process.
The order is anchored on Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which bars political appointees from participating as candidates or delegates in party primaries while still holding office. It also aligns with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which schedules party primaries between April 22 and May 20, 2026.
Top government sources say the directive has effectively set off intense calculations within the cabinet, with several ministers already linked to governorship ambitions in their home states now facing a stark choice between office and political pursuit.
Among those most affected is Matawalle, currently Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara governor, who is widely believed to be positioning for a comeback bid after losing his re-election in 2023. Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun governor, is similarly linked to another shot at the Osun State governorship, while Adelabu, the Minister of Power, has openly declared interest in the Oyo governorship race.
Other appointees caught in the dragnet include Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and Coordinating Minister of Health Muhammad Ali Pate, both reportedly weighing governorship bids in Bauchi State, as well as Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari, said to be a strong contender in Borno.
Also mentioned are Minister of State for Labour Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who may return to legislative politics, and Information Minister Ahmed Idris Malagi, reportedly eyeing the Niger governorship.
In the official circular, the presidency stressed that all affected officials must submit their resignation letters through the SGF’s office no later than the March 31 deadline, warning that compliance is mandatory.
Tinubu, according to the statement, said the measure was necessary to ensure transparency, uphold electoral laws, and guarantee a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the 2027 polls.
The directive marks the clearest signal yet that the administration is moving to enforce early political discipline within its ranks as the 2027 race gathers momentum, even as it risks thinning the ranks of the cabinet months into a critical phase of governance.