CITIZENS COMPASS— Some ministers from the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are set to resign their appointments.
Reason being that they would like to pursue their political ambition and contest at the 2027 elections.
Sources hinted that some of the ministers were planning to participate in the governorship election in their states. Two of them from Bauchi State with A grade ministries, Yusuf Tuggar (Health) and Mohammed Pate (Health) are among those reported to be preparing to resign.
Among those preparing to resign were the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has already updated the election timetable, fixing party primaries between April 22 and May 20. By law, political appointees who wish to contest must resign from their positions before the primaries take place.
Barring any sudden change, Adelabu is expected to resign from his role in the coming weeks to seek the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State.
The minister previously contested the Oyo State governorship election in 2023 but lost to Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party. Reports also indicate that some individuals are already showing interest in his current ministerial position.
An aide to Adelabu, Femi Awogboro, confirmed that the minister intends to contest the Oyo governorship race.
He said President Tinubu has not yet asked Adelabu to resign from his ministerial role.
“As of now, the President has not told Adelabu to resign as minister. Only the President can tell him to resign, and until that, Adelabu continues to perform his functions, but he is definitely contesting for the Oyo governorship seat,” Awogboro said.
Awogboro added that the minister would step down from office at the appropriate time to focus on his political ambition.
There are also indications that Muhammad Pate and Yusuf Tuggar may contest the Bauchi State governorship election.
Pate, who comes from Mainari village in Ajili Ward of Misau Local Government Area, had previously contested the governorship position in the state.
The Coordinator of the Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, told Punch that although the decision had not been officially announced, there were strong indications that Pate had agreed to run following pressure from his supporters.
He explained that some people from Bauchi State who believe in his leadership ability visited him in Abuja to encourage him to enter the race.
He said, “A team from Bauchi that has faith in his capabilities went all the way to Abuja and sought his participation in the gubernatorial contest, and he has accepted the contest.”
Yusuf Tuggar, who is from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, is also believed to be considering the governorship race.
His Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed that the minister has interest in the position.
Abdulkadir said, “The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”
“There is a timetable released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running; he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”
Another source also revealed that Nkeiruka Onyejeocha may be planning to return to the National Assembly.
“She was elected four times into the House of Rep and she wants to go back,” the source said.
When asked about when Tuggar might resign his ministerial position, Abdulkadir said the minister would follow the rules set by the electoral body.
—PUNCH
