As the countdown to the 2027 General Elections begins to simmer, the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is bracing for a significant shake-up.
Checks revealed that at least four ministers are set to exit the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to pursue various elective positions.
While the administration remains focused on its “Renewed Hope” agenda, the inevitable “election fever” is forcing a realignment.
Traditionally, Nigerian political appointees seeking office must resign early to comply with the Electoral Act and focus on grassroots mobilization.
The four ministers being mentioned are Adebayo Adelabu (Minister of Power), Muhammad Pate (Minister of Health and Social Welfare), Yusuf Tuggar (Minister of Foreign Affairs), and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also gathered that at least three of the four departing ministers are eyeing the Government House in their respective home states.
One senior minister is rumored to be plotting a return to the Senate.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently revised the electoral timetable, setting party primaries between April 22 and May 20.
By law, holders of appointed offices are required to resign before the primaries.
According to 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, “A political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention, congress, and primaries of any political party for the nomination of candidates for any election.”
This means all political office holders including ministers, commissioners, special advisers, among others must resign their appointments before participating in party primaries either as aspirants or delegates.
Barring any last-minute change of plans, Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to vie for the Oyo governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC)
The minister is believed to be preparing for another shot at the Oyo State governorship race after he was defeated by Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.
Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who contested under the platform of the Accord Party in 2023, has remained a key figure in the state’s political calculations.
During an engagement with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in Lagos towards the end of last year, Adelabu hinted that he would love to achieve some feats “before I leave office.”
In a trending video in October 2025, Adelabu formally declared his intention to run for governor in Oyo, recalling how he lost to Makinde in 2019 and 2023.
“I have now paid my dues. I contested against Seyi (Makinde) in 2019. In 2023, I also contested against Seyi, then as the sitting governor. But in 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn. It’s Adelabu’s turn. Anything that belongs to Adelabu belongs to us all,” he said last year.
Also, Pan-Atlantic Kompass gathered that Pate and Tuggar might be contesting the governorship seat of Bauchi State.
Pate, who hails from Mainari village in Ajili Ward of Misau Local Government Area, previously contested the governorship position.
Pate’s governorship ambition dates back to 2015 when he indicated an interest in contesting for the Bauchi State governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party.
He contested the governorship seat in 2019 under the Peoples Redemption Party after suffering a defeat at the APC primary.
In 2023, Pate also failed to pick up the APC governorship ticket.
His recent political engagements, particularly initiatives centred on youth employment and empowerment across parts of the state, have intensified talks that he may be preparing to rejoin the governorship race.
Also, Tuggar, who hails from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, is also believed to be eyeing the governorship seat.
Tuggar, who previously contested the position, is said to have sustained political activities across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed Tuggar’s intention to contest for the state governorship seat.
Speaking with the press, Abdulkadir said, “The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”
When asked when Tuggar would resign his ministerial appointment, Abdulkadir said, “There is a timetable released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running, he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”
In addition, Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour, had spent 16 years (2007–2023) as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi constituency of Abia State.
It was gathered that the Minister is set to return to the National Assembly.
