Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has resigned from the Federal Executive Council as the March 31, 2026 deadline for political appointees seeking elective office draws near.
The anticipated move follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requiring all political appointees with intentions to contest in the 2027 general elections to step down on or before March 31, 2026.
The directive was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by Dewan Goshit, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
Tuggar’s expected exit comes shortly after the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2026 National Convention, where most members of the party’s National Working Committee were returned unopposed, further intensifying focus on cabinet members widely believed to be nursing political ambitions.
Political attention has now shifted to ministers and other senior appointees who are yet to formally declare their intentions but are considered strong contenders for elective positions ahead of 2027.
Sources close to Tuggar’s political camp in Bauchi State said supporters who attended the APC convention are optimistic that the minister will soon formally declare his ambition to contest the Bauchi State governorship election, citing what they described as growing grassroots and elite support for his candidacy.
Tuggar, a seasoned diplomat and politician, previously served in the House of Representatives, representing the Gamawa Federal Constituency between 2007 and 2011. He later served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari before his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2023.
With the resignation deadline fast approaching, political watchers are closely monitoring members of President Tinubu’s cabinet and other political appointees expected to comply with the presidential directive, as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue to gather pace.
