The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, have resigned from their respective positions to pursue governorship bids in the 2027 general elections.
The resignations follow a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, issued through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which mandated all political appointees seeking elective office to step down by March 31, 2026.
This directive ensures strict adherence to Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, which requires appointees to vacate their offices before participating in party primaries or conventions.
Ambassador Tuggar, a seasoned diplomat and former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, is reportedly exiting the cabinet to focus on his campaign for the governorship of Bauchi State. His departure marks one of the most high-profile exits from the President’s cabinet since its inauguration in 2023. Supporters in Bauchi have already begun mobilizing for his formal declaration, which is expected following the recent conclusion of the APC national convention.
Similarly, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the former Deputy Governor of Kano State, submitted his resignation letter dated March 27, 2026. Gawuna, who was the APC governorship candidate in 2023, is shifting his focus back to the Kano State executive seat.
Notably, his resignation has also sparked reports of a potential political realignment in Kano, with some sources suggesting an alliance with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and a possible move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In his resignation, Gawuna expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure at the FMBN as an honor and a privilege.
He assured stakeholders of a seamless transition, pledging to hand over his responsibilities to the next designated officer in accordance with established civil service procedures.
As the March 31 deadline approaches, political analysts expect further resignations from other cabinet members and heads of federal agencies as the 2027 electoral cycle gathers momentum.