President Bola Tinubu has directed all political appointees in his administration seeking elective positions in the 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026.
The directive, announced on Tuesday through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is aimed at ensuring compliance with electoral regulations and maintaining fairness in the political process ahead of party primaries.
According to the statement issued by officials of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the order affects a wide range of government functionaries.
These include ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, as well as heads of federal agencies, commissions, and government-owned enterprises.
The decision is said to be in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the conduct of party primaries for the 2027 elections.
The statement explained that the measure is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that public officeholders do not use their positions to gain undue advantage during the electoral process.
“All affected appointees are required to submit their resignation letters through the appropriate channels before the stipulated deadline,” the statement noted.
President Tinubu emphasised that the directive reflects his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting transparency, and guaranteeing a level playing field for all aspirants.
Political observers said the move could trigger a wave of resignations within the federal government as ambitious appointees prepare to contest for various elective offices across the country.
The development marks an early signal of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties begin internal preparations and aspirants position themselves for nomination contests.
