Three Tinubu ministers resign ahead of election directive

As the 2026 election season heats up, three ministers have resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s administration in anticipation of a strict presidential directive requiring politically ambitious appointees seeking governorship ambition to step down.

Adelabu Adelabu, Minister of Power, was the latest candidate to tender his resignation on Tuesday evening to pursue his 2027 governorship ambitions in Oyo State. His departure brings the total number of ministerial exits to three, joining Yusuf Tuggar, minister of Foreign Affairs and Yusuf Sununu, minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs.

These high-profile departures arrived just as the March 31, 2026, deadline set by the President expired. BusinessDay checks reveal that the political landscape is rapidly shifting as these former cabinet members prepare for the upcoming party primaries. Tuggar is setting his sights on the Bauchi State governorship, aiming to succeed outgoing Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party, who completes his two terms in May 2027.

Meanwhile, Sununu is returning to his legislative roots, contesting for the Kebbi South Senatorial district after previously representing Kebbi State in the House of Representatives.

Read also: Resignation deadline triggers cabinet members’ exits ahead of 2027 election

The wave of resignations extends far beyond the federal cabinet to key government agencies. Ahmed Aminu, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and Abdulrasaq Namdas, a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have also stepped down. Both men are gearing up to battle for the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Adamawa State.

Namdas brings significant political weight, having served two terms representing the Ganye, Jada, and Toungo federal constituency in the House of Representatives. He previously contested the APC gubernatorial ticket in 2023 before withdrawing midway to support Aisha Binani.

He now faces stiff competition from Aminu, a veteran public servant who is reportedly backed by political heavyweights including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

This mass exodus is a direct response to a recent circular issued by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The mandate ordered all political appointees seeking elective office in the 2027 general elections to resign by the end of March 2026. This move strictly aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the newly published Independent National Electoral Commission timetable.

The directive covers a wide net of federal officials, applying universally to ministers, special advisers, personal assistants, directors general, and heads of government parastatals.

President Tinubu emphasised that the sweeping measure is necessary to guarantee full compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency, and create a level playing field for all political aspirants, reaffirming his administration’s stated commitment to credible democratic processes.