What was expected to be a rush of resignations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) ended quietly, with only one confirmed exit — the Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali.
His resignation followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu, issued on March 17, 2026, mandating all political appointees with plans to contest in the 2027 elections to step down on or before March 31. The directive, in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC’s timetable, is meant to ensure fairness by preventing the use of public office for political advantage.
Despite the expectation that several appointees would comply before the deadline, Alkali stood out as the only confirmed resignation as of late Tuesday. He reportedly stepped down to pursue his governorship ambition in Gombe State and has since received the President’s approval, along with commendation for his service.
Earlier, two other ministers — Yusuf Tuggar and Yusuf Sununu — had also submitted their resignations on Monday.
Meanwhile, some cabinet members appear to have shelved their political ambitions. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, for instance, did not resign before the deadline despite earlier showing interest in contesting the Oyo State governorship election. His media aide has dismissed circulating claims of his resignation as false, maintaining that he remains focused on his current role.
With the resignation window now closed, attention is shifting to the next phase of the electoral process. According to INEC’s schedule, party primaries will hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while submission of candidates’ names is expected by July and August for different categories of elections.
At the same time, early political calculations are already underway within the ruling APC as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections. Discussions around the structure of the President’s re-election campaign are ongoing, with key figures being considered for strategic roles.
While there have been speculations about who might lead the campaign, party officials insist that no formal decisions have been made yet. Still, consultations among political stakeholders continue quietly behind the scenes as the race toward 2027 gradually gathers momentum.
