President Bola Tinubu has instructed all political appointees wishing to run for elected office in the 2027 general elections to step down from their posts no later than March 31, 2026. The President’s order was announced in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). Dr Ibrahim Abubakar
President Bola Tinubu has instructed all political appointees wishing to run for elected office in the 2027 general elections to step down from their posts no later than March 31, 2026.
The President’s order was announced in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, signed the statement on behalf of Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The directive, according to the Presidency, was in accordance with Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 polls.
The order will affect Ministers, Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Personal Assistants to the President. It also covers Directors-General and Chief Executive Officers of federal government parastatals, agencies, commissions and government-owned companies, as well as other political appointees appointed by the President.
The circular partly read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026. The directive is pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the INEC for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“In a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, which was issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the resignation requirement applies to all categories of presidential political appointees who wish to participate in the forthcoming party primaries or seek nomination for any elective office, which include the following: Honourable Ministers, Honourable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Special Assistants to the President, Personal Assistants to the President, All Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-owned Companies, as well as all other Political Appointees of the President.
“Accordingly, all affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than March 31, 2026.”
The President, who maintained that the electoral act must be followed and all the affected persons must totally comply with the directives to uphold transparency in the political process and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.
He also urged all concerned officials to take note of the directive and ensure strict compliance, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting credible electoral processes in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu emphasised that the measure is necessary to ensure full compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency in the political process, and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.
“He urged all concerned officials to take note of this directive and ensure strict compliance, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting credible electoral processes in Nigeria,” the circular read.
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