As the March 31, 2026, deadline set by President Bola Tinubu for cabinet members and other political appointees seeking elective offices to resign expires today, intense speculation continues over more potential exits from the federal executive council.
The directive has already claimed two high-profile casualties, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar and Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Yusuf Sununu, formally stepping down on Monday to pursue elective positions in the 2027 general elections.
Tuggar, who hails from Gamawa Local Government Area in Bauchi State, resigned to contest the governorship of Bauchi State. Confirming the development, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa said: “The resignation of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs is confirmed.”
In an official statement, Tuggar’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, disclosed that “the minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”
In his resignation letter to President Tinubu, Tuggar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and implement the administration’s 4D foreign policy strategy.
His tenure as Foreign Affairs Minister was highlighted by several notable achievements, including the humanitarian evacuation of Nigerians abroad, the creation of a Nigerians-in-Diaspora database, strengthened engagement with Global South partners, the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy, and successful diplomatic interventions that led to the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries.
Similarly, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, resigned on Monday to contest the Kebbi State senatorial seat. Prior to his appointment to the cabinet in August 2023, Sununu had represented the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, where he served as Chairman of the Committee on Healthcare Services.
The resignations have heightened anticipation within government circles, as more appointees are widely expected to follow suit before or on today’s deadline to enable them to participate actively in the electoral process leading to the 2027 general elections.
President Tinubu had directed all political appointees interested in contesting elective positions to resign their appointments no later than March 31, 2026, in line with electoral guidelines and to ensure a clear separation between governance and political activities.
Further resignations are anticipated as the political landscape heats up in preparation for the next general elections.
