FRESH political manoeuvring ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections may trigger a cabinet shake-up in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as several ministers are reportedly considering resigning their positions to pursue elective offices in their home states.
Investigations indicate that at least four cabinet members are positioning themselves for state-level contests, particularly in states where incumbent governors will complete their constitutionally allowed two terms by 2027.
Among those reportedly weighing their political options are the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
Their potential exits from the Federal Executive Council could reshape the composition of the cabinet if they formally step down to contest in party primaries.
The political calculations follow the revised electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which schedules party primaries between April 22 and May 20.
Under Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, political appointees must resign their appointments before participating in party primaries either as aspirants or delegates.
The law states that: “A political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention, congress, and primaries of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
This means ministers, commissioners, advisers and other political office holders must relinquish their positions before seeking party nominations.
Among those expected to step down is Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, who is reportedly preparing to contest the Oyo State governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adelabu previously contested the governorship race and lost to incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
In a video that circulated in October 2025, the minister publicly declared his ambition to contest again.
“I contested against Seyi in 2019 and in 2023 as the sitting governor. But in 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn,” Adelabu said.
An aide to the minister, Femi Awogboro, confirmed that Adelabu intends to run but has not yet been asked by the president to resign.
“As of now, the President has not told Adelabu to resign as minister. Only the President can tell him to resign, and until then he continues performing his duties,” Awogboro said.
Political attention is also shifting to Bauchi State, where both Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate and Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar are widely believed to be considering a run for the governorship.
Pate previously attempted to become governor in 2015, 2019, and 2023, contesting under different political platforms.
Supporters say he is under intense pressure from political allies and community leaders to join the race again.
According to Ibrahim Abdulhamid, coordinator of the Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, a delegation of Bauchi indigenes recently visited the minister in Abuja to urge him to contest.
“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,” Abdulhamid said.
Similarly, Tuggar has reportedly maintained strong political engagements across Bauchi State.
His media adviser, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed the minister’s interest in the governorship seat.
“The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State,” Abdulkadir said.
Both men were also sighted at the Bauchi State APC convention earlier this month, further fueling speculation about their ambitions.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Labour Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is reportedly considering a return to the National Assembly.
Sources indicate that the former lawmaker may contest for a Senate seat in Abia State after spending 16 years in the House of Representatives, representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency.
A political source familiar with the development said the minister is weighing the possibility of contesting in the next election cycle.
“She served four terms in the House of Representatives and wants to go back to the National Assembly, this time as a senator,” the source said.
Attempts to obtain an official response from Onyejeocha were unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or text messages.
Despite growing speculation, the All Progressives Congress leadership in Oyo State said no aspirant has formally declared interest in the 2027 governorship race.
The party’s publicity secretary, Olawale Sadare, explained that the process for declarations had not yet begun.
“Anyone nursing an ambition at this stage should focus on consultations, especially at the grassroots level. When the time comes, they will have the full opportunity to pursue their political goals,” he said.
Meanwhile, the electoral commission has dismissed reports claiming it fixed March 26 as the deadline for ministers and other public office holders intending to contest elections to resign.
In a statement posted on social media, the Independent National Electoral Commission described the circulating information as false.
“The commission wishes to state clearly that the information is false and did not emanate from INEC. The graphic being circulated is fake and misleading,” the commission said.
INEC urged the public and media organisations to rely only on information released through its verified channels.
If the ministers eventually resign to pursue their ambitions, President Tinubu could be forced to reshuffle his cabinet to fill the resulting vacancies.