A major shake up is looming in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as no fewer than nine serving ministers are preparing to resign ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the President’s directive that all political appointees with electoral ambitions must step down on or before March 31, 2026. The development, confirmed by senior government and party insiders, is expected to trigger one of the largest coordinated cabinet exits since the administration took office. Ministers, agency heads, and presidential appointees eyeing governorship, senatorial, and presidential tickets are now in a race against time as party primaries draw near.
The Ministers on the Exit Watchlist
According to information obtained by Huhuonline.com and corroborated by political sources across several states, the following ministers are expected to resign: Adebayo Adelabu - Minister of Power (Oyo State governorship); Muhammad Ali Pate - Minister of Health and Social Welfare (Bauchi governorship); Yusuf Maitama Tuggar - Minister of Foreign Affairs (Bauchi governorship); Nkeiruka Onyejeocha – Labor Minister of State (Abia governorship or National Assembly return); Abubakar Kyari - Agriculture and Food Security Minister (Borno governorship); Saidu Ahmed Alkali - Minister linked to Gombe Guber race; Bosun Tijani - Minister of Communications and Digital Economy (Ogun governorship); Bernard Doro - Minister of Humanitarian Affairs (Plateau senatorial seat), and Ekperikpe Ekpo - Minister of Petroleum (State) (Akwa Ibom governorship). In addition, several high profile federal appointees - including Issa Onilu (NOA DG), Abubakar Suleiman (NILDS DG), and Wale Sulaiman (Pro chancellor FUHSI Ila Orangun), are also weighing gubernatorial bids in Kwara State.
A Cabinet in Transition
Aso Rock sources told Huhuonline.com that Tinubu’s directive has placed ambitious ministers in a political bind: resign early and lose the advantages of incumbency, or delay and risk disqualification under party and electoral guidelines. Party primaries are scheduled between April 22 and May 20, 2026, leaving a narrow window for compliance. Sources within the ruling APC party say the hesitation among some ministers stems from uncertainty over zoning decisions; fear of losing federal influence before primaries; ongoing negotiations for presidential endorsement, and concerns about the impact of direct primaries on delegate control. A senior APC strategist described the atmosphere as “a season of political arithmetic,” with ministers “calculating every move like a chessboard.”
State by State Political Storms Brewing
In Oyo, Adebayo Adelabu faces a tough road. Analysts point to PDP’s entrenched dominance under Governor Seyi Makinde; deep factionalism within Oyo APC; public dissatisfaction with the power sector under his watch, and zoning agitation from Oke Ogun and Ogbomoso blocs. His first battle may be securing the APC ticket against heavyweights such as Teslim Folarin, Remi Oseni, and Rauf Olaniyan. In Bauchi, both Ali Pate and Yusuf Tuggar are expected to clash with zoning traditions favoring Bauchi South; limited grassroots structures, and a formidable PDP machinery under Governor Bala Mohammed. Pate’s technocratic profile may not translate easily into ward level mobilization. In Ogun, Bosun Tijani’s digital economy achievements may not automatically convert into local political capital, with analysts warning that “federal tech reforms do not always resonate with grassroots voters.” Borno, Gombe, Plateau, and Akwa Ibom each presents its own mix of zoning battles, entrenched political structures, and internal party rivalries.
In a parallel development, insiders say FCT Minister Nyesom Wike may also resign soon as part of a broader strategy to influence the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket. A recent Court of Appeal ruling on the PDP leadership crisis has strengthened the faction aligned with Wike, prompting renewed speculation about his national ambitions. With just days to the deadline, Abuja is bracing for a wave of resignation letters that could reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027. The coming week is expected to determine which ministers will gamble on electoral ambition; which will cling to federal power, and how the President will respond to the largest cabinet reshuffle of his tenure. For now, one thing is clear: Tinubu’s cabinet is on the verge of a political earthquake.
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