The bold political move by several former ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration to resign from the Federal Executive Council in pursuit of elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections has turned into a painful setback for some of the top political figures involved. What was expected to be a strategic transition from cabinet positions into stronger political influence has instead exposed the unpredictable nature of Nigeria’s internal party politics, with some former ministers crashing out of the race despite sacrificing powerful government appointments.
The resignations followed a directive issued by the Presidency mandating political appointees seeking elective offices to step down before participating in party primaries in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026. The directive affected ministers, ministers of state, senior aides, and heads of agencies who intended to contest governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and other political positions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among the most prominent names affected were former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali; former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu; and former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. While some succeeded in securing party tickets, others saw their ambitions collapse dramatically after months of consultations, lobbying, and political mobilisation. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The biggest shock came from Oyo State, where former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, suffered a crushing defeat in the All Progressives Congress governorship primary. Adelabu, who had long positioned himself as one of the strongest contenders for the APC ticket, resigned from the cabinet believing his political structure and popularity would give him an advantage in the contest. The former minister had repeatedly expressed his determination to govern Oyo State, insisting that his ambition dated back to his years as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
However, the primary election produced an outcome many of his supporters did not anticipate. Senator Sarafadeen Alli overwhelmingly defeated Adelabu after polling hundreds of thousands of votes, leaving the former minister far behind in the contest. The defeat immediately triggered accusations of manipulation and irregularities from Adelabu’s camp. He alleged that many of his supporters were intimidated, prevented from voting, and violently chased away from polling locations during the exercise.
Adelabu openly rejected the credibility of the process and vowed to challenge the outcome before the national leadership of the APC. According to him, results were allegedly recorded in some areas where voting never took place, while many party members loyal to his camp were denied participation in the exercise. His reaction highlighted the growing tension and distrust surrounding party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers say Adelabu’s loss represents a major setback considering the political risk he took by leaving one of the country’s most strategic ministries. His resignation had already attracted nationwide attention because it came at a time when Nigeria’s power sector continued to face serious challenges, including poor electricity supply, repeated grid collapses, and public criticism over electricity tariffs. Despite those controversies, Adelabu remained convinced that his political future lay in Oyo State politics rather than remaining in the Federal Executive Council.
A similar political disappointment also played out in Gombe State, where former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, failed in his attempt to secure the APC governorship ticket. Alkali had resigned from office with hopes of succeeding Governor Inuwa Yahaya, but his ambition quickly ran into internal party resistance and controversy surrounding the conduct of the primaries.
The former minister eventually boycotted the primary election after accusing party leaders of lacking fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness in the process. He claimed the exercise did not meet the basic standards of democratic credibility. Despite his protest, the election went ahead and produced Jamilu Gwamna as the APC governorship candidate. Gwamna reportedly defeated Alkali and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, by a wide margin.
For Yusuf Tuggar, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, the political situation remains uncertain and tense in Bauchi State. Tuggar resigned from office to pursue the APC governorship ticket, but growing divisions within the party have created uncertainty around his chances of emerging as the flag bearer. Reports suggesting that former Bauchi governor, Mohammed Abubakar, could emerge as a consensus candidate sparked outrage among Tuggar’s loyalists.
Supporters of Tuggar openly threatened to abandon the APC if the party leadership imposed any candidate on members. Some members of the Tuggar political movement accused the party of undermining internal democracy and sidelining aspirants who genuinely wanted a transparent contest. The controversy further exposed the internal cracks within the APC in Bauchi as political camps intensified their struggle for control ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
While the resignations ended badly for some former ministers, others managed to secure political victories. Former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, successfully clinched the APC ticket for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State after emerging unopposed. Similarly, former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, secured the APC ticket for the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency after stepping away from the Kebbi South senatorial race.
The mixed outcomes have sparked widespread debate across political circles about whether leaving powerful government appointments for uncertain political contests is truly worth the risk. Analysts say the situation reflects the harsh reality of Nigerian politics where federal influence does not always guarantee grassroots acceptance or victory during party primaries. In many cases, local political alliances, governors’ influence, zoning arrangements, and internal party loyalty often determine who eventually secures party tickets.
The developments have also intensified conversations about the growing internal crisis within major political parties as the 2027 elections draw closer. Several governorship primaries across the country have already generated allegations of manipulation, irregularities, imposition of candidates, and lack of transparency. Similar complaints recently emerged from APC governorship primaries in states like Adamawa, where aspirants accused party officials of unfair practices and manipulation of results.
For many Nigerians watching the unfolding political drama, the experience of Adelabu, Alkali, and other former ministers serves as another reminder that political office in Nigeria offers no permanent guarantee of electoral success. Despite enjoying national visibility and presidential appointments, some of the former ministers discovered that winning internal party battles can be far more difficult than occupying positions in the federal cabinet.
