Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, has resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet to pursue the Gombe State governorship ahead of the 2027 elections.
The State House confirmed the resignation on Tuesday evening, just hours before the March 31, 2026 deadline set by the President for political appointees seeking elective offices to step down.
Alkali, who met with the President at the Presidential Villa before announcing his decision, is expected to contest to succeed incumbent Governor Inuwa Yahaya, whose tenure ends in May 2027.
His exit follows a directive issued on March 17, 2026, by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, mandating all political appointees with electoral ambitions to resign in line with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
According to the directive, “pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections,” affected officials must vacate office before participating in party primaries.
The provision requires ministers, advisers, and heads of government agencies to resign before contesting elections, a measure aimed at preventing the misuse of public office and state resources during the electoral process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled party primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with deadlines for submission of candidates set for July 11 (presidential and National Assembly) and August 8 (governorship and state assembly elections).
Alkali’s resignation makes him the third member of Tinubu’s cabinet to step down within days. Earlier, Yusuf Tuggar resigned to contest the Bauchi governorship, while Yusuf Sununu stepped down to pursue a senatorial seat in Kebbi State.
Before his ministerial appointment, Alkali represented Gombe Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly. His latest move signals intensifying political realignments as key figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
