Olusegun Ogunkayode[RovroundNews]
The Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has officially resigned from the Federal Executive Council to pursue his ambition of contesting the Bauchi State governorship election in 2027.
This development was confirmed on Monday, 30th March, 2026 by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who stated that the minister submitted his resignation letter earlier in the day.
Sources within government circles indicate that Tuggar is expected to contest under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party at the federal level.
His resignation comes in compliance with a directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mandating all political appointees seeking elective office to step down from their positions on or before March 31, 2026. The directive, communicated through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is aimed at ensuring transparency and preventing conflicts of interest ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This policy aligns with provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires public office holders to resign prior to participating in party primaries or electoral contests.
Tuggar’s exit signals the beginning of heightened political activity as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum across the country. Political observers expect more resignations from cabinet members and other appointees in the coming days as the deadline approaches.
Yusuf Maitama Tuggar served as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Tinubu administration, playing a key role in shaping the country’s diplomatic engagements. His decision to return to state-level politics marks a significant shift and sets the stage for a potentially competitive governorship race in Bauchi State.
With the resignation deadline fast approaching, attention is now focused on other political appointees who may declare their intentions to contest elective offices, further reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
