President Bola Tinubu has officially directed all political appointees within his administration who harbor ambitions for the 2027 general elections to vacate their positions.
Te directive stipulates that any official seeking elective office must submit their formal resignation on or before March 31, 2026.
The announcement was contained in a statement released by the Head of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dewan Nengak Goshit
The move is described as a preemptive step to align the administration with the statutory requirements of the country’s electoral framework.
According to the presidency, the order is pursuant to Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026. It also takes into account the official timetable recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the conduct of party primaries ahead of the next general election cycle.
A circular signed by the SGF, Senator George Akume, and issued through the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, clarified that the mandate covers a broad spectrum of officials. This includes Ministers, Ministers of State, and various levels of Special Assistants to the President.
The resignation requirement further extends to the leadership of the civil service and parastatals. Directors-General, Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government agencies, commissions, and government-owned companies are all expected to comply if they intend to participate in party primaries or seek nominations.
President Tinubu emphasized that this directive is vital for upholding transparency and ensuring a level playing field for all political aspirants. By enforcing these resignations well in advance, the administration aims to prevent the use of state resources or official influence to gain an unfair advantage during the primary season.
He concluded by reaffirming commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and urged all affected officials to ensure strict compliance with the deadline, framing the decision as a necessary step toward fostering a more credible and disciplined electoral process
