By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign their positions on or before March 31, 2026.
The directive, conveyed through a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), is aimed at ensuring compliance with electoral laws and maintaining fairness in the political process ahead of party primaries.
The circular, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, states that the decision is pursuant to Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which bars political appointees from participating in party primaries while holding public office.
Those affected by the directive include Ministers, Ministers of State, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of federal government agencies, commissions, parastatals, and government-owned companies.
All affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the SGF’s office not later than March 31, 2026.
President Tinubu emphasised that the move is necessary to promote transparency, prevent abuse of office, and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, while the directive aligns with existing electoral practices, independent verification of an official timetable for the 2027 general elections from the electoral commission remains unclear at this time.
The presidency reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring credible electoral processes as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the next election cycle.
The directive is expected to trigger a wave of resignations and political realignments across key government positions in the coming weeks.
— Newspot Nigeria
