The decision by some former ministers of President Bola Tinubu to resign from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to contest elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections has produced mixed outcomes.
Five former cabinet members resigned after the President directed political appointees seeking elective offices to leave office before participating in party primaries.
The directive was in line with the Electoral Act 2026. However, only two of the former ministers have so far secured party tickets.
Among those who resigned were former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who left office to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Bauchi State.
Also affected were former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu, who initially sought the Kebbi South senatorial ticket, and former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, who joined the Gombe governorship race.
Others were former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who sought the House of Representatives ticket in Abia State, and former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who contested the Oyo governorship primary.
Onyejeocha, Sununu Secure Tickets
Of the five, only Onyejeocha and Sununu have secured tickets.
Onyejeocha emerged as the APC candidate for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State after running unopposed.
Sununu also secured the APC ticket for Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency after withdrawing from the Kebbi South senatorial race.
Adelabu Loses Oyo Primary
Adelabu, who resigned after the deadline set by the President, failed to secure the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State.
He was defeated by Senator Sarafadeen Alli, who polled 578,143 votes.
Following the result, the former minister alleged manipulation and insisted that the primary did not reflect the true wishes of party members.
He vowed to challenge the outcome before the party’s national leadership.
Adelabu said, “In some wards, our people were prevented from voting; they were intimidated, they were chased away violently. And in some wards, voting did not take place at all, but they recorded numbers for them.
“All these kinds of misconduct are not good at this stage of our democracy in Nigeria, and something has to be done about it. We are going to write serious petitions against all these things that took place.”
Alkali Boycotts, Loses Gombe Ticket
Similarly, former Minister of Transportation, Alkali, lost the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State after boycotting the primary over alleged irregularities.
He was defeated by Jamilu Gwamna, who is backed by Governor Inuwa Yahaya. Gwamna polled 247,161 votes, while Alkali scored 11,612 votes.
A former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, came second with 12,120 votes. Alkali had earlier boycotted the exercise, alleging lack of fairness, inclusivity and credibility.
He also claimed that the primary did not meet the basic standards of a credible democratic process.
While Adelabu and Alkali have lost their bids, the fate of former Foreign Affairs minister, Tuggar, remains uncertain in Bauchi State.
His supporters have threatened to leave the APC if the party imposes a governorship candidate.