Tinubu Directs Appointees to Resign by March 2026 for 2027 Elections | Electoral Act Compliance
President Bola Tinubu has ordered all political appointees seeking to contest elective office in the 2027 general elections to resign their positions on or before March 31, 2026. The directive, formalized in a circular issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the recently released timetable from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The circular, signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and issued through the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana, extends the requirement to all presidential appointees intending to participate in party primaries or vie for any elective position. This includes ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, as well as directors-general and chief executives of federal government parastatals, agencies, commissions, and government-owned companies.
Affected officials are instructed to submit formal resignation letters through the Office of the SGF by the stipulated deadline. The directive explicitly references “the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by INEC for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections,” encompassing all political appointees serving under the president, according to the circular.
Tinubu stated the measure is intended to ensure adherence to electoral laws, maintain transparency within the political process, and establish a level playing field for all aspirants. He urged all concerned officials to acknowledge the directive and ensure full compliance, reiterating his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering credible electoral processes.
The directive follows the release of the 2027 election timetable by INEC, signaling an intensification of preparations for the upcoming polls. Nigerian law mandates that political appointees relinquish their positions before engaging in party primaries, a provision designed to prevent potential abuses of office and ensure fairness in the electoral system. The move comes as the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other political organizations prepare for internal contests to select candidates for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections, as reported by news sources.