The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), has issued an advisory directing civil servants and political appointees intending to contest in the 2027 general elections to comply with constitutional and electoral resignation requirements to avoid disqualification.
In the advisory released on Monday, Ajulo said the directive was issued in line with his constitutional responsibility to provide legal guidance to the government and the public, and to ensure clarity, transparency and neutrality in the public service ahead of the elections.
The Attorney-General explained that career civil servants and other public servants are constitutionally required to resign, withdraw or retire at least 30 days before the date of election if they intend to contest.
He cited Sections 66(1)(f), 107(1)(f), 137(1)(g) and 182(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provide that any person employed in the civil or public service of the federation or a state would be disqualified from contesting if such resignation does not take effect at least 30 days before polling day.
According to him, while affected officers may continue to perform their official duties and participate in preliminary party activities, including the purchase of nomination forms and involvement in party primaries, their resignation must become effective no later than 30 days before the relevant election.
Ajulo warned that failure to comply with the constitutional requirement could render such persons unqualified to contest, exposing them to possible INEC disqualification or election petitions.
On political appointees, including commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, directors-general, board chairmen and members of government agencies, the Attorney-General clarified that they are not regarded as persons employed in the civil or public service for the purpose of the 30-day constitutional rule.
However, he stated that in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly provisions regulating participation in party primaries and congresses, political appointees who intend to seek elective offices must resign before participating as aspirants or delegates in party primaries or nomination processes.
To ensure compliance with the expected INEC timetable for party primaries, Ajulo strongly advised all political appointees interested in the 2027 elections to submit their resignation letters on or before March 31, 2026, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
He said the early resignation would allow them to participate freely in party processes, eliminate any perception of conflict of interest or abuse of office, and ensure seamless compliance with screening and nomination requirements.
The Attorney-General further directed Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and parastatals to immediately bring the advisory to the attention of all officers under their supervision and forward confirmation of compliance to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
He also reminded public officers that partisan political activities while still in active service may violate the Public Service Rules and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, warning that non-compliance could attract both disqualification and administrative sanctions.
Ajulo stressed that the advisory merely restates existing legal obligations and does not create new law, noting that it was issued in good faith to help affected officers make informed and timely decisions ahead of the 2027 polls.
