Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar tops the list of public officials who resigned yesterday to pursue their political aspirations in next year’s elections.

More resignations are likely today at the federal level, as the deadline given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointees to step down if they are interested in running for political office has arrived.

It was gathered yesterday that some ministers linked to governorship races in their states might have developed cold feet, leading them to quietly forgo their ambitions.

Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna, also resigned his position yesterday and left the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While Tuggar is interested in becoming Bauchi State governor, Gawuna, the APC candidate who narrowly lost to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the 2023 election, is linked with a return to the political ring in the North’s most populous state.

The resignations also swept through states where governors directed those interested in contesting elections to step down. Commissioners, chairmen and chief executives of boards have resigned.

The resignations also swept through states where governors directed those interested in contesting elections to step down. Commissioners, chairmen and chief executives of boards have resigned.

In a post on his verified X handle, Tuggar said: “Today, I formally submitted my resignation letter as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

“This moment marks the close of a significant chapter of service, focused on strengthening Nigeria’s global partnerships, deepening diplomatic engagement, and delivering a people-centred approach to foreign policy.

“I express my sincere appreciation to President Tinubu for the trust and opportunity to serve under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and to contribute to advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy through the 4D Doctrine.

“I remain deeply grateful for the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the collaboration and partnership of colleagues and partners across the world.

“The journey continues, guided by duty, purpose, and the call to serve.”

Gawuna submitted his resignation in a letter dated March 27, 2026.

In the letter, Gawuna stated that his decision takes immediate effect and is in compliance with directives issued by President Bola Tinubu.

“My resignation is in strict compliance with the President’s directive requiring all political appointees to step down in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act,” Gawuna wrote.

He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve under the current administration, describing his tenure as both an honour and a privilege.

“I am profoundly grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the confidence reposed in me to serve. It has been a privilege to contribute to the growth and development of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and our great country,” he stated.

Gawuna, who was deputy governor during the tenure of Governor Umaru Ganduje, struck a reflective tone regarding his future, adding: “I place my future in the hands of Allah (SWT) and seek His divine guidance in all my endeavours.”

Gawuna assured stakeholders of a seamless transition process, noting that he would hand over responsibilities in line with established procedures.

An official said resignation letters were streaming into the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), adding: “More than 40 appointees might resign, with most of them being officials on boards of agencies.”

Last week, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Oyo, Alhaji Rauf Olaniyan, a former Oyo State deputy governor, announced his resignation to enable him to contest for governor.

Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Ahmed Galadima Aminu, was also said to be “ready to resign” yesterday. It could not be confirmed if his letter was submitted.

Asked why there was a delay until the last minute by those planning to resign, a source said: “Many of them were still locked in consultations and permutations.”

Nasarawa

Accountant-General of Nasarawa State, Musa Ahmed Muhammed, quit and declared for the governorship position.

Musa, a former two-term Speaker of the House of Assembly, said he resigned to answer the call of the people of the state for him to contest the election next year.

He announced his decision before a large crowd at Lafia East Primary School in Lafia yesterday.

“For your sake, I have resigned from my position to accept your call. I will contest.

“I assure you that I will build on the legacies of Governor Abdullahi Sule,” he said.

Governor Sule had directed all political appointees in the state to resign before today.

Governor Babagana Zulum has approved the immediate dissolution of the State Executive Council, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bukar Tijani, confirmed in a statement in Maiduguri yesterday.

Tijani said that the decision was aimed at allowing members of the council who may wish to contest elective positions in the forthcoming general elections to do so.

According to him, the governor has directed all commissioners to hand over the affairs of their respective ministries to the permanent secretaries on or before April 3.

The statement reads: “The dissolution is to allow interested members of the council to pursue their political aspirations without any encumbrances.”

The SSG added that the governor expressed appreciation to the outgoing commissioners for their dedication, commitment and contributions to the development of the state.

He noted that the government remained committed to sustaining governance and service delivery through the civil service structure.

Ondo

In Ondo State, some government appointees, including the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora, Wale Akinlosotun, are said to have resigned.

Akinlosotun is believed to be seeking a House of Representatives seat to represent the Ondo West/East Federal Constituency.

Others include Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health, Simidele Odimayo; Senior Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Orioye Gbayisomore; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Community Engagement (Central), Fadairo Oluwafemi; and Special Adviser on Transport, Gbenga Omole.

Odimayo is believed to be eyeing the Ondo South Senatorial District seat; Gbayisomore and Oluwafemi the House of Representatives seats for Ilaje/Ese-Odo and Akure South/North, respectively; while Omole is said to be targeting Akoko South West in the House of Assembly.

Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC), Kenneth Stevenson, and Secretary to Akure South Local Government, Adeola Fynch, are also believed to have resigned.

Others include Razaq Obe, Director-General of the Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU), who is said to be interested in the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency seat.

But Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said he was not aware of the resignations.

Edo

Six aides of Governor Monday Okpebholo also resigned to seek elective offices.

They include Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pius Alile, and Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Washington Osifo.

While Alile wants to contest the Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency seat, Osifo is eyeing the Uhunmwode/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency.

Others are a member of the board of the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, Osaze Igbinovia; a member of the state Audit Commission, Terry Igiebor; and Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Oladele Bankole-Balogun.

FCT

In the Federal Capital Territory, Mandate Secretary in charge of the Area Councils Services Secretariat, Bitrus Garki, also announced his resignation yesterday.

Garki, who served for about 931 days, made his decision known through a letter he personally signed.

Although the reasons for his resignation were not stated, it was learnt that he might be contesting the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Kaduna

In Kaduna State, the Commissioner for Public Works, Ibrahim Hamza, and some other commissioners also resigned.

A source at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House said some Special Advisers had also stepped down.

The source, who did not give the exact number, said he was yet to know the positions the affected officials would be seeking.

Jigawa

No fewer than 14 aides of Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi have resigned, a source in the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) said yesterday.

According to the source, the resignations were not prompted by any formal notice from the government.

“Despite the absence of any directive from the governor or the government, some appointees have already submitted their resignation letters,” the source said.

“So far, about 14 appointees have resigned. All of them are Special Advisers and Special Assistants. As of Monday’s close of work, no commissioner has resigned, though there are indications that one or two may do so soon,” the source added.

Those said to have resigned include Special Assistants to the governor on Dutse Capital Development Authority (DCDA), Investment Development and Assembly Matters, among others. Some of the names mentioned include Musa Sule Dutse, Amb. Usman Inuwa Dutse, and Suraja Kantoga.

Yesterday in Ondo State, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), issued an advisory to political appointees.

He said: “In line with my constitutional responsibility as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State to provide legal guidance to the government and the public, I hereby issue this advisory directive pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.

“The purpose of this directive is to ensure clarity, promote transparency, uphold the neutrality of the public service, and prevent any risk of disqualification or legal challenges for public officers who may wish to participate in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.” (The Nation)

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