A report claims that some members of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet may be planning to resign to pursue their political ambitions in their home states.
According to Punch, at least four cabinet members are already positioning themselves for state-level contests, particularly where incumbent governors will complete their constitutionally allowed two terms in 2027.
Among those being mentioned are Adebayo Adelabu (Minister of Power), Muhammad Pate (Minister of Health and Social Welfare), Yusuf Tuggar (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently revised the electoral timetable, setting party primaries between April 22 and May 20.
By law, holders of appointed offices must resign before the primaries.
Barring any last-minute change of plans, Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to vie for the Oyo governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress.
The minister is believed to be preparing for another shot at the Oyo State governorship race after he was defeated by Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023.
The aforementioned publication reported that interested individuals are already jostling for the ministerial seat.
An aide of the minister, Femi Awogboro, confirmed his intention to contest for the state governorship seat.
Awogboro said President Tinubu had yet to direct the minister to resign his appointment for his governorship ambition.
“As of now, the President has not told Adelabu to resign as minister. Only the President can tell him to resign, and until that, Adelabu continues to perform his functions, but he is definitely contesting for the Oyo governorship seat,” Awogboro said.
Awogboro said the minister would resign from office at the appropriate time to pursue his aspiration.
Indications also emerged that Pate and Tuggar might contest the Bauchi State governorship seat.
Pate, who hails from Mainari village in Ajili Ward of the Misau Local Government Area, previously contested the governorship.
The Coordinator of Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, told the aforementioned publication that although it was not yet official, indications suggested that Pate had agreed to participate in the governorship race following pressure from supporters.
Abdulhamid explained that a group of Bauchi indigenes who believed in his leadership capacity visited him in Abuja to encourage him to join the contest.
He said, “A team from Bauchi that has faith in his capabilities went all the way to Abuja and sought his participation in the gubernatorial contest, and he has accepted the contest.”
Tuggar, who hails from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, is also believed to be eyeing the governorship seat.
The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed Tuggar’s intention to contest for the state governorship seat.
Abdulkadir said, “The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”
When asked when Tuggar would resign his ministerial appointment, Abdulkadir said, “There is a timetable released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running; he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”
A source also disclosed that Onyejeocha was planning to return to the National Assembly.
“She was elected four times into the House of Rep and she wants to go back,” the source said.
