List Of Tinubu’s Former Ministers Who Failed To Secure 2027 Tickets

Former ministers who served under President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet have suffered mixed fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections, as early political calculations and resignations have not delivered the expected results for several of them.

According to Ireporter Online, a number of former cabinet members resigned from the Federal Executive Council in compliance with a presidential directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to step down before participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries. However, the move has proven costly for some, as they not only exited government but also failed to secure party tickets for the 2027 race.

Out of the five former ministers who resigned to pursue various political ambitions, only two have successfully clinched APC tickets, while others either lost out at the primaries or face uncertain political futures.

The affected former ministers include Adebayo Adelabu (former Minister of Power), Saidu Alkali (former Minister of Transportation), Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (former Minister of Foreign Affairs), Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (former Minister of State for Labour and Employment), and Yusuf Sununu (former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs).

While Onyejeocha and Sununu were successful in securing APC tickets in Abia and Kebbi States respectively, Adelabu, Alkali, and Tuggar were unable to achieve similar outcomes.

In Oyo State, Adelabu resigned his ministerial position to contest the APC governorship ticket but was defeated by Senator Sarafadeen Alli, who secured a dominant victory in the primary election. Adelabu later rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities, intimidation, and manipulation during the process.

In Gombe State, former Minister of Transportation Saidu Alkali also stepped down to contest the governorship ticket but finished third in the primary. The ticket was won by Jamilu Gwamna, widely believed to have the backing of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, while former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, placed second. Alkali had earlier raised concerns over the credibility of the exercise.

For Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, his resignation ahead of the deadline paved the way for his participation in the APC governorship primary in Bauchi State. However, he lost the ticket to former governor Mohammed Abubakar, who emerged victorious with a wide margin.

The developments highlight the political risks faced by several former ministers who left their cabinet positions to pursue elective ambitions, with only a few successfully transitioning into party flagbearers ahead of the 2027 elections.