Political Shake-Up: Tinubu Forces Appointees to Face Reality

Fresh tension is quietly brewing within Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) after Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a firm directive: any political appointee eyeing an elective position must resign on or before March 31.

The order, delivered through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation headed by George Akume, has sparked intense behind-the-scenes calculations among ministers and top aides.

Insiders say the directive has unsettled many officials who had hoped to quietly secure presidential backing before stepping down to chase their ambitions. But that expectation appears to have been shut down. According to sources, the President has deliberately avoided private meetings with appointees seeking endorsement for governorship or legislative races.

A senior APC figure summed up Tinubu’s stance bluntly: he’s not in the business of handing out political tickets. Instead, aspirants are being told to return to their states, test their popularity, and win support from party delegates the hard way.

This approach shifts the game entirely—forcing hopefuls to depend on grassroots strength rather than influence from Abuja.

The directive also ties directly to the Electoral Act, specifically Section 84(12), which bars political appointees from participating in party primaries unless they resign. With Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expected to conduct primaries by the end of April, any delay beyond April 1 could mean automatic disqualification.

Already, several high-profile names are reportedly preparing to step down and enter the 2027 race, including:
• Adebayo Adelabu — Oyo governorship
• Bosun Tijani — Ogun governorship (unconfirmed)
• Saidu Alkali — Gombe governorship
• Muhammad Ali Pate — Bauchi governorship
• Yusuf Maitama Tuggar — Bauchi governorship
• Abubakar Kyari — Borno governorship
• Bernard Doro — Plateau North senatorial seat

But the absence of presidential endorsement has left many of them in a tough spot—especially those up against powerful sitting governors or deeply rooted political structures back home.

Behind closed doors, sources say even some “super ministers” have made last-minute moves to secure Tinubu’s backing—only to be turned down.

As the March 31 deadline draws closer, what was once quiet confidence within government circles is now giving way to uncertainty. For many appointees, it’s become a high-stakes gamble: resign and risk everything without guarantees, or stay back and miss out on the race entirely.

Right now, it’s a waiting game—but a very tense one.