Following the resignation deadline set by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, has stepped down from his position, becoming the third cabinet member to resign in pursuit of elective office ahead of the 2027 elections.
Alkali announced his decision on Tuesday evening after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa. His Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Umar Jibril, confirmed the development, quoting him as saying, “I am deeply honoured to have served in this capacity and remain grateful to Mr President for the confidence reposed in me. I am proud of the progress we have made in advancing Nigeria’s transportation sector.”
The Presidency acknowledged the resignation and commended Alkali for his contributions. The former senator, who represented Gombe Central Senatorial District, is expected to contest the Gombe State governorship in 2027.
His exit brings the number of ministers who resigned before the March 31 deadline to three, far fewer than earlier projections. On Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, also stepped down to pursue the Bauchi governorship and a Kebbi senatorial seat, respectively.
The resignations followed a directive issued through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, mandating all political appointees with electoral ambitions to vacate their positions by March 31. The directive, according to the circular, was “pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires political appointees including ministers, advisers, and heads of government agencies to resign before participating in party primaries, a measure designed to prevent misuse of public office for electoral advantage.
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