Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given cabinet members who plan to contest in the 2027 general elections a deadline of March 31, 2026, to resign from their positions.
The directive comes as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections. It means that any minister or presidential aide with political ambitions must step down to focus on their campaigns, while new appointments will be made to fill the vacant roles.
Among those reportedly considering a run is the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who is expected to seek the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress for Oyo State in 2027.
Adelabu, an accountant and banker, previously served as a deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria under Goodluck Jonathan in 2014. He was also the APC’s candidate in the 2019 Oyo State governorship election but lost to Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Since assuming office, Tinubu has overseen one of the largest cabinets in Nigeria’s democratic history and has carried out two reshuffles. The most recent saw the redeployment of Doris Uzoka-Anite to the Ministry of Budget and Planning, while Taiwo Oyedele was appointed to take over responsibilities linked to tax reforms.
The president’s directive was issued shortly before his trip to the United Kingdom, where he is accompanied by the First Lady and other senior officials for Nigeria’s first state visit to the country in nearly four decades.
The expected resignations are likely to further energize the political landscape, as aspirants position themselves ahead of the elections.
Within the ruling All Progressives Congress, influence continues to grow, with the party currently controlling 31 of Nigeria’s 36 states. Meanwhile, political realignments are ongoing across parties. Notably, figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi have been linked to shifting alliances, contributing to the emergence of the African Democratic Congress as a strong opposition force.
