The decision by several ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet to resign and pursue elective offices ahead of the 2027 general election has yielded mixed fortunes, with three of the five former Federal Executive Council members suffering major defeats in their party primaries.
The latest setback came on Saturday as former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Bauchi State despite months of political consultations and campaign efforts across the state.
Tuggar polled 26,001 votes to place second behind former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, who secured a landslide victory with 57,517 votes. Bala Wunti came third with 13,648 votes.
The outcome effectively ended Tuggar’s governorship ambition and further highlighted the growing political challenges facing former cabinet members seeking elective offices after leaving President Tinubu’s administration.
The affected ministers had resigned following a presidential directive mandating political appointees interested in contesting elections to step down before participating in party primaries, in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.
Those who left the Federal Executive Council included former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Yusuf Sununu, former Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali, former Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu.
Out of the five, only Onyejeocha and Sununu successfully secured APC tickets.
Onyejeocha emerged unopposed as the APC candidate for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency seat in Abia State, while Sununu clinched the party’s ticket for the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency in Kebbi State.
For the remaining former ministers, however, the primaries ended in disappointment.
Former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu suffered defeat in the APC governorship primary in Oyo State after losing to Senator Sarafadeen Alli. Adelabu later rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities and widespread voter suppression during the exercise.
Similarly, former Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali failed to secure the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State after boycotting the primary over alleged irregularities. The contest was eventually won by Jamilu Gwamna, who is believed to enjoy the backing of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
Tuggar’s defeat now leaves the scorecard of former Tinubu ministers seeking elective offices sharply divided, with only two recording victories while three saw their ambitions either stalled or completely shut down.
The outcome has also reinforced the enduring influence of grassroots political structures, local alliances and internal party calculations in determining electoral success, despite the visibility and influence associated with ministerial appointments.
For many of the former ministers, resigning from the Federal Executive Council was seen as a strategic political gamble ahead of the 2027 elections. But with the primaries largely concluded, the move has produced more heartbreak than reward.
