Fresh political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections may lead to changes in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, as some ministers are reportedly preparing to resign in order to pursue political ambitions in their states.
Investigations indicate that at least four members of the Federal Executive Council are positioning themselves for contests at the state level, particularly in states where current governors will complete their constitutionally allowed two terms in 2027.
Among those linked with such ambitions are the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The development comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission released a revised election timetable. The schedule fixes April 22 to May 20 for party primaries across the country.
The law requires political appointees to step down from their positions before taking part in party primaries.
Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 states, “A political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention, congress, and primaries of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
The provision means ministers, commissioners, special advisers and other political appointees must resign before participating in party primaries either as contestants or delegates.
Adelabu Eyes Oyo Governorship
Sources within the All Progressives Congress say the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, may soon resign his appointment to seek the party’s ticket for the Oyo State governorship.
Adelabu previously contested the governorship race in the state but lost to the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, in the 2023 election.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria had earlier indicated his political interest during a stakeholders’ meeting in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry held in Lagos last year. At the time, he expressed the desire to record some achievements before leaving office.
In a video that circulated in October 2025, Adelabu openly spoke about his ambition to contest the Oyo governorship again.
“I have now paid my dues. I contested against Seyi (Makinde) in 2019. In 2023, I also contested against Seyi, then as the sitting governor. But in 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn. It’s Adelabu’s turn. Anything that belongs to Adelabu belongs to us all,” he said last year.
An aide to the minister, Femi Awogboro, confirmed that Adelabu intends to run for the position but explained that the President has not directed him to resign.
“As of now, the President has not told Adelabu to resign as minister. Only the President can tell him to resign and until that, Adelabu continues to perform his functions, but he is definitely contesting for Oyo governorship seat,” Awogboro said.
He added that the minister would leave office at the appropriate time in line with legal requirements.
“The minister will resign at the appropriate time. Perhaps he is not the only minister in the cabinet who intends to contest in 2027. Others with political ambitions will also do the needful when the time comes. The masses should rest assured of that,” he said.
Awogboro also recalled that Adelabu had previously resigned from his position as Deputy Governor (Operations) of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018 when he decided to pursue political ambitions.
However, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare, said no aspirant had formally declared interest because the party had not yet opened the process.
He advised politicians with interest in the race to continue consultations with party members at the grassroots level until the official process begins.
Bauchi Governorship Ambitions
There are also indications that the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, may contest the governorship election in Bauchi State.
Pate, who comes from Misau Local Government Area, has shown interest in the governorship race in the past. He first indicated interest in 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party. He later contested under the Peoples Redemption Party in 2019 after losing the APC primary.
In 2023, he again failed to secure the APC governorship ticket.
Recent political engagements by Pate across Bauchi State have renewed speculation about another attempt at the governorship race.
The Coordinator of the Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, said supporters had encouraged him to join the contest.
“A team from Bauchi that has faith in his capabilities went all the way to Abuja and sought his participation in the gubernatorial contest and he has accepted the contest,” Abdulhamid said.
Another supporter, Garo Misau, described Pate as a capable leader who could govern the state effectively.
“Pate is eminently qualified for the seat of governorship in Bauchi State. Not only Bauchi State; any state in the country that has a son like Professor Pate will want him to lead it. He has an international reputation of capabilities and humanitarian impact,” Misau said.
Similarly, Tuggar is also believed to be considering the Bauchi governorship race.
The Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed the interest.
“The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State,” Abdulkadir said.
He added that Tuggar would follow the guidelines outlined in the election timetable.
“There is a time table released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running, he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”
A member of the Tuggar Foundation, Ahmad Tilde, also expressed confidence in the minister’s leadership ability.
“If not Tuggar, then who do you think can? As far as I am concerned, this is the view of many people I know in Bauchi State, Tuggar is the next governor of the state.”
Tilde noted that the ambition had not yet been formally declared.
“Although I am confident that Tuggar will contest, it is not official yet because it is not time for declaration,” he said.
Both Pate and Tuggar were present at the Bauchi State APC convention held on March 3, 2026. Their appearance at the event intensified speculation about their political ambitions.
Onyejeocha May Return To National Assembly
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, is reportedly considering a return to the National Assembly.
Onyejeocha represented the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2023.
A source familiar with the development said the minister intends to seek election again.
“She was elected four times into the House of Rep and she wants to go back,” the source said.
Efforts to reach the minister for comments were unsuccessful. She did not respond to calls or messages sent to her as of the time of filing the report.
INEC Denies Resignation Deadline
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has denied reports that it fixed March 26 as the deadline for ministers and other public office holders who intend to contest elections to resign.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, the commission described the claim as false.
“The commission wishes to state clearly that the information is false and did not emanate from INEC. INEC has not issued any such announcement, and the graphic being circulated is fake and misleading,” the statement read in part.
The electoral body urged the public and media organisations to rely only on its official channels for accurate information on election matters.
Makinde Speaks On Political Aspirations
In a related development, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde asked political appointees in his administration who intend to contest in the 2027 elections to openly declare their ambitions.
Makinde spoke on Thursday during the 2026 Iftar programme organised by the state government at the Banquet Hall frontage in Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
His Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, released a statement on Friday that quoted the governor as urging aspirants to contest under the Peoples Democratic Party.
“I have read on social media that I have not given the go-ahead to political appointees who have ambitions to hold different political offices, including the governorship seat.
“So, henceforth, you are free. Whoever wants to contest for any position should bring out their billboards. And those of you who are bothered about the PDP crisis, add the party’s logo to the billboard, nothing will happen.”
