There are indications that President Bola Tinubu may overhaul his cabinet following the anticipated resignation of some ministers and other appointees as the 2027 general election draws closer. The President had recently ordered his appointees nursing the ambition to contest any position on the forthcoming polls to resign their positions.
According to a release from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) authorised by the President, any of the appointees interested in contesting any position in the 2027 polls must resign by the Tuesday, March 31. This, according to him, was in sync with the provisions of section 88 (1) of the 2026 amended Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable for party primaries ahead of the polls.
Though many appointees, especially the ministers, currently serving in Tinubu’s administration, have overtly or covertly indicated interests in contesting political positions in the 2027 polls, none of them, as the time of filing this report has resigned their appointments.
A source in the Presidency knowledgeable in the development but preferred anonymity, said the appointees were weighing options ahead of the polls. He said many of them were engaged in consultations with their constituents and waiting to get clearances from their employer, the President.
He said: “You know the law (electoral law) prescribes that they must resign and that means they will lose their jobs to contest the elections. They have to guard against the unknown by having the nod of their employer. They are also reading the political barometer to ensure they do not ultimately lose out if at the end of the day they fail to secure the party tickets.
This is perhaps, why they are hesitating to resign their appointments for now. How- ever, there are some of them have already made up their minds on contesting elections. They are only bidding their time to get the nod of the President.” Another source said: “The anticipated resignation of some of the key members of the Tinubu’s cabinet to contest elections would obviously create some vacuum in the Renewed Hope administration that would have to be refilled as soon as practicable by the President.
“You will notice that some of those expected to resign are key players, who have contributed immensely to the success of this administration. So, there are consultations and calculations on whether it would be expedient for them to be retained for reappointment in the next cabinet beyond 2027 when the President returns for second term. This is why some of the ministers eager to resign have yet to do so because they have not got the Presidential nod.”
Even when none has turned in his resignation as at the time of this report, those being speculated to be preparing to do so by the Tuesday, March 31st, expiration of the ultimatum include the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali-Pate; Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Minister of Transportation,
Sen. Saidu Alkali; Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Jyari; Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Bernard Doro; Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, amongst others.
The Health Minister, Ali Pate has been generally regarded as one of the star performers in Tinubu’s cabinet and is regarded as one of the ministers that are waiting for the Presidential nod to resign in order to continue the pursuit of his governorship ambition in Bauchi State at the 2027 polls.
Adelabu has never hidden his intention to vie for the governorship position in Oyo state, having contested twice in the past. Since his appointment as the Minister, Adelabu has consistently maintained his political influence at the state level, maintaining constant touch with stakeholders to a actualise his ambition.
There are indications that he may turn in his resignation any moment from now to pursue his ambition. Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, a three time senator, is eyeing the Gombe State governorship seat in 2027 and has maintained constant touch with the people of the state. The Communication Minister, Tijani, even though has yet to publicly indicate interest in the race to succeed Dapo Abiodun as Ogun State governor, has been speculated to be working assiduously to clinch the position.
Observers noted that the deliberate location of Federal Goverment’s projects in the state were meant to subtly convince the people of his eligibility and preparedness for the number one position in the state by 2027. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar, had attempted the Bauchi governorship seat in the past, having represented the state at the National Assembly before being appointed an ambassador by ex-President Muhammad Buhari.
Tuggar has strong presence in Bauchi State and has consistently worked hard to succeed the incumbent, Senator Bala Muhammed. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Kyari, is an entrenched political actor both at the state and national levels. He represented the state at the Senate between 2015 and 2022 before he resigned to be appointed the Deputy National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was equally appointed the Acting National Chairman of the party in July, 2023 following the resignation of the Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu. Kyari, though yet to resign, has a strong political presence in Borno State ahead of the 2027 race to succeed the incumbent, Babagana Zulum.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and Poverty Reduction, Doro is equally being speculated to be eyeing the Plateau North Senatorial seat and may inevitably resign his position to pursue the ambition. Political observers in his constituency acknowledge his presence and efforts in working towards clinching the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 National Assembly polls.
Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Onyejeocha, from Abia state, was a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2023 before she was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as a Minister. Feelers indicate that the Minister may resign her appointment to contest again for a seat in the National Assembly in 2027.
