Ministers and other political appointees in the Bola Tinubu administration have until 31 March 2026 to resign, if they intend to contest elective positions in the general elections, which will hold in January and February, next year.
On 26 February 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on 16 January 2027, while the governorship and state assembly polls will take place on 6 February 2027.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026.
Party primaries for the elections (federal and state) were fixed for between 23 April to 30 May 2026.
According to the Head of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Dewan Nengak Goshit, the directive, issued on Monday, is pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the INEC for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections’.
Going by the circular signed by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) in the OSGF, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the OSGF, Senator George Akume said that the resignation requirement applies to all categories of presidential political appointees ‘who wish to participate in the forthcoming party primaries or seek nomination for any elective office, which include the following: Honourable Ministers, Honourable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Special Assistants the President, Personal Assistants to the President, All Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-owned Companies, as well as all Other Political Appointees of the President’.
The circular further read: ‘Accordingly, all affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than 31 March 2026.
‘President Tinubu emphasised that the measure is necessary to ensure full compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency in the political process, and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.
‘He (Akume) urged all concerned officials to take note of this directive and ensure strict compliance, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting credible electoral processes in Nigeria’.
