Mixed Fortunes for Tinubu’s Ex-Ministers After Leaving Cabinet for 2027 Ambitions
The decision by some former ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration to resign from the Federal Executive Council and pursue elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections has produced mixed results, with only two out of five securing party tickets so far.
The affected former ministers stepped down after the Presidency directed all political appointees interested in contesting elections to resign before participating in party primaries, in line with the Electoral Act 2026.
Among those who resigned were former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who is seeking the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Bauchi State; former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, who initially aimed for the Kebbi South senatorial seat; former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, who joined the Gombe governorship race; former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who pursued a House of Representatives seat in Abia State; and former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who contested the Oyo governorship primary.
So far, only Onyejeocha and Sununu have emerged successful.
Onyejeocha secured the APC ticket for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State after emerging unopposed, while Sununu eventually clinched the ticket for Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency after stepping down from the senatorial race.
However, the political calculations of Adelabu and Alkali did not go as planned.
Adelabu lost the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State to Senator Sarafadeen Alli, who polled 578,143 votes against Adelabu’s 19,193 votes.
Following the outcome, the former power minister rejected the process, alleging widespread irregularities, intimidation of his supporters, and manipulation in several wards.
Speaking after the exercise, Adelabu claimed that some of his supporters were prevented from voting and insisted that in certain areas no voting took place despite results being recorded.
He said his team would petition the party leadership over the conduct of the primary.
Similarly, former Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali failed to secure the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State after boycotting the primary election over alleged lack of fairness and transparency.
The contest was won by Jamilu Gwamna, who is believed to enjoy the backing of Governor Inuwa Yahaya. Gwamna polled 247,161 votes, while Alkali scored 11,612 votes. Former Communications Minister Isa Pantami came third with 12,120 votes.
Alkali had earlier described the process as lacking credibility and inclusiveness.
Despite the outcome, his camp insists he remains in the race and has not withdrawn from the APC.
His media aide, Umar Alkali, clarified that the former minister merely boycotted the primary process and had no intention of leaving the ruling party.
Meanwhile, the political future of former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar remains uncertain as tension grows within the APC in Bauchi State.
His supporters have openly threatened to leave the party if the APC imposes a consensus governorship candidate ahead of the primaries.
The crisis follows speculation that former Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abubakar, may emerge as the party’s preferred candidate.
Speaking on behalf of Tuggar’s support base, Ibrahim Malam, Director of Media for the Tuggar Foundation, warned that party members would not remain in a political party where internal democracy was allegedly being ignored.
He argued that Tuggar remained the strongest and most competent aspirant in the race.
Another supporter, Bello Adamu, popularly known as Elder Karofi, also rejected what he described as an attempt to impose a candidate on party members.
According to him, consultations are ongoing among Tuggar’s supporters, including discussions about possibly defecting to another political party if the situation persists.
Despite the growing discontent, Tuggar himself has not publicly commented on the matter.
Meanwhile, Adelabu’s camp has continued to question the legitimacy of the Oyo governorship primary results.
Speaking through his media aide, Femi Awogboro, the former minister said they were yet to recognise any officially declared result.
“We don’t know of any result because nobody has officially announced any result to us,” Awogboro stated.
