Fresh political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections may trigger a shake-up in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu as some ministers are reportedly weighing resignation to pursue their political ambitions in their home states.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that at least four cabinet members are already positioning themselves for state-level contests, particularly where incumbent governors will complete their constitutionally allowed two terms in 2027.
Among those being mentioned are Adebayo Adelabu (Minister of Power), Muhammad Pate (Minister of Health and Social Welfare), Yusuf Tuggar (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The Independent National Electoral Commission recently revised the electoral timetable, setting party primaries between April 22 and May 20.
By law, it is required that holders of appointed offices resign before the primaries.
According to 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, “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.”
By implication, ministers, commissioners, special advisers, and other political appointees must resign their appointments before participating in party primaries either as aspirants or delegates.
Barring any last-minute change of plans, Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to vie for the Oyo governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress.
The minister is believed to be preparing for another shot at the Oyo State governorship race after he was defeated by Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023.
Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who contested under the platform of Accord Party in 2023, has remained a key figure in the state’s political calculations.
During an engagement with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in Lagos towards the end of last year, Adelabu hinted that he would love to achieve some feats “before I leave office.”
In a trending video in October 2025, Adelabu formally declared his intention to run for governor in Oyo, recalling how he lost to Makinde in 2019 and 2023.
“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.
The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed Tuggar’s intention to contest for the state governorship seat.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Abdulkadir said, “The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”
When asked when Tuggar would resign his ministerial appointment, Abdulkadir said, “There is a time table released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running, he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”
Also speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a member of the Tuggar Foundation from Toro Local Government Area, Ahmad Tilde, expressed confidence that the minister possessed the qualifications to lead Bauchi State.
Tilde said many residents across the state believed Tuggar had the capacity to govern effectively.
“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.”
Speaking on whether the APC had been formally notified of the ambition, Tilde noted that the matter remained unofficial.
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