- Aspirants barred from lobbying president
There is a growing tension in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), following President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all appointees in his administration nursing elective positions should resign before March 31, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The announcement by President Tinubu, Daily Sun has gathered, is causing ripples within the corridors of power in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It was also gathered that President Tinubu, unwilling to openly take a stand ahead of the primaries in the states, has fenced off several ministers and top aides who have been lobbying for his “anointing” before resigning to pursue their 2027 political ambitions.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political atmosphere in Abuja, the President, it was gathered, has refused to grant private audiences to the appointees seeking his blessing or endorsement for governorship and legislative positions.
Instead, it was learnt that the President has insisted that any appointee wishing to contest must first test his or her popularity at the grassroots without his endorsement.
Findings by Daily Sun revealed that since the March 31 resignation deadline was communicated via the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, several ‘super ministers’ have made frantic attempts to secure a commitment from the President.
The efforts to have a one-on-one meeting with the President, it was learnt, is for the appointees to get a clear nod from the President and avoid potential face-offs with the governors who are unwilling to be influenced by Abuja connection.
“The President is a veteran of the trenches,” a high-ranking APC chieftain told Daily Sun. “He told a group recently that he is not a ‘kingmaker of appointees’ but a President for all. His message is simple: If you think you are popular enough to lead your state, go home, resign and prove it to the delegates.”
This fencing off has left many appointees in a dilemma. Under the Electoral Act 2026 and the lingering Section 84(12) of the 2022 Act, the window for ‘political moonlighting’ has been shut.
Section 84(12) explicitly bars any political appointee from being a delegate or an aspirant in a primary unless they have resigned.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduling party primaries for the end of April, any appointee still in office by April 1 faces automatic disqualification.
However, there are anxieties in some states, especially in the North East, South West and North Central. Seven ministers, barring any last minute changes, will turn in their resignation letters and join the political fray. Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power from Oyo State is one the appointees touted as the potential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the governorship polls in Oyo State.
Bosun Tijani, Minister for Communications is one of the key contenders for the governorship ticket of the APC in Ogun State. It is unclear if he will throw in the towel and join the race in the coming days.
Saidu Alkali, Minister for Transportation and former three-term senator, has been working steadily from Abuja to position himself for the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State. He is considered as one of the top contenders.
Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health, is among the leading APC aspirants for the governorship ticket in Bauchi State. Sources say he is still weighing his options and trying to secure the nod of President Tinubu before he resigns.
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is a leading aspirant in Bauchi State. He is expected to square off with Pate for the APC governorship ticket.
Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture, is widely expected to mount a challenge for the governorship ticket in Borno State. A position currently held by Governor Babagana Zulum. Kyari served as a senator and represented Borno North from 2015 until 2022 and is a long-time political associate of Vice President Kashim Shettima. Bernard Doro, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, is expected to resign and contest for Plateau North senatorial seat. The national chairman of the APC is from Plateau State. The Governor of the State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, recently defected to the ruling APC.
As the March 31 deadline approaches, the ‘departure lounge’ at Aso Rock remains crowded, but quiet. The bravado of previous weeks has been replaced by calculated whispers, as ambitious aides weigh the risk of jumping into the political deep end without the president’s lifejacket.
Sun
