NIGERIA, Abuja – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed all political appointees in his administration who plan to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign their positions on or before March 31, 2026. This directive, which was made public on Tuesday, aligns with the provisions of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act and the recently announced timetable for party primaries by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The statement, issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), outlined that the directive applies to all presidential appointees who intend to participate in party primaries or seek any elective office in the upcoming elections. This includes Ministers, Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants to the President. Additionally, it extends to Directors-General, Chief Executive Officers of federal government parastatals, agencies, commissions, and government-owned companies, as well as other political appointees appointed by the President.
The official communication, signed by Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, emphasized that all affected officials must submit their resignation letters to the OSGF by the March 31 deadline.
The Presidency explained that this move is aimed at ensuring compliance with electoral laws, promoting fairness in the political process, and maintaining transparency in the lead-up to the elections. President Tinubu underlined that the directive was designed to create a level playing field for all aspirants preparing to contest in party primaries for the 2027 general elections.
The measure also underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that the electoral process remains credible and impartial. By requiring political appointees to step down ahead of the elections, the government seeks to prevent the misuse of public office for electoral advantage.
This directive follows recent adjustments to Nigeria’s electoral calendar by INEC. The commission has set January 16, 2027, as the date for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027. The revised dates came after the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the passage of the new Electoral Act 2026, which led to the restructuring of the election timetable.
The initial dates, which had drawn criticism from political stakeholders—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—had been seen as problematic due to their overlap with the Ramadan period, a concern for Muslim voters that could potentially affect voter turnout.
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