President Bola Tinubu has urged all political officials in his administration who want to run for electoral office in the 2027 general election to resign on or before March 31, 2026.
Ministers, ministers of state, special advisers to the president, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, directors-general, and chief executive officers of federal government parastatals, agencies, commissions, and government-owned businesses, as well as other presidential appointees, are among those affected.
The directive, stated in a circular sent by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is consistent with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act of 2026 and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable for party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
The circular, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and issued by the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana, stated that the directive applied to all categories of presidential political appointees who wished to participate in party primaries or run for any elective office.
According to the circular, all impacted officials are obliged to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than March 31, 2026.
The circular read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026.
“The directive is pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the INEC for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“In a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, which was issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the resignation requirement applies to all categories of presidential political appointees who wish to participate in the forthcoming party primaries or seek nomination for any elective office, which include the following: Honorable Ministers, Honorable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Special Assistants to the President, Personal Assistants to the President, All Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-owned Companies, as well as all other political appointees of the President.
“Accordingly, all affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than March 31, 2026.”
Tinubu stated that the step was important to ensure compliance with electoral laws, maintain transparency in the political process, and create a level playing field for all candidates ahead of the polls.
He also asked all involved officials to take note of the decision and strictly follow it, underlining his administration’s commitment to developing democratic institutions and fostering legitimate electoral processes in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu emphasized that the measure is necessary to ensure full compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency in the political process, and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.
“He urged all concerned officials to take note of this directive and ensure strict compliance, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting credible electoral processes in Nigeria,” the circular read.
Tinubu stated that the step was important to ensure compliance with electoral laws, maintain transparency in the political process, and create a level playing field for all candidates ahead of the polls.
He also asked all involved officials to take note of the decision and strictly follow it, underlining his administration’s commitment to developing democratic institutions and fostering legitimate electoral processes in Nigeria.
