Tinubu orders appointees seeking elective positions to resign by March 31 – THIS UPDATE

By Ayo Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has issued a sweeping directive requiring all political appointees with ambitions for the 2027 general elections to resign by March 31, 2026, drawing a clear line between governance and partisan politics.

The order, announced in a presidential statement on Tuesday by Dewan Goshit, Information and Public Relations Officer at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), is anchored on section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 and aligns with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) calendar for the party primaries.

In what could trigger a wave of high-level exits, the directive affects ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants and personal assistants, as well as directors general and CEOs of federal agencies, commissions, parastatals and state-owned enterprises.

“All political appointees who intend to run for elective office in the upcoming elections are required to resign from their positions by March 31, 2026,” the statement said.

It further directed that “the officials concerned shall submit their letters of resignation through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation no later than the stipulated period.”

The presidency underlined the rationale behind the move, stressing that “the measure is necessary to ensure full compliance with electoral laws, support transparency in the political process and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.”

Beyond its legal basis, the directive signals an early recalibration of the political landscape ahead of 2027, as the administration seeks to separate governance from electoral ambitions while projecting commitment to credible polls.

Post views:
119