The Digest: At least six ministers in President Bola Tinubu's cabinet are expected to resign ahead of the March 31 deadline for political appointees seeking elective office in the 2027 elections. The directive, issued through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, mandates all affected officials to step down before participating in party primaries. Among those tipped to resign are Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu (Oyo governorship), Minister of Health Muhammad Ali Pate (Bauchi), Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari (Borno), Minister of Transportation Saidu Alkali (Gombe), Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (Bauchi), and Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani (Ogun).
Key Points:
- The resignations will create significant vacancies in Tinubu's cabinet, potentially prompting a reshuffle ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
- Several ministers are seeking governorship positions in their home states, setting up potential APC primaries with multiple contenders.
- Bayo Adelabu's third attempt for the Oyo governorship highlights the persistence of political ambition despite previous defeats.
- In Bauchi, both Pate and Tuggar may vie for the APC ticket, creating a potential intra-party contest.
- Bosun Tijani's potential entry into Ogun politics would mark a shift from his technology sector background to partisan governance.
Sources: Tribune Online