Cabinet shake-up looms as appointees exit FEC
Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar bows out
A tense atmosphere gripped the Presidential Villa on Monday as political appointees with ambitions for the 2027 general elections scrambled to beat the March 31 resignation deadline set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The directive, which requires all political office holders seeking elective positions to vacate their appointments on or before the deadline, has triggered intense consultations and last-minute strategic decisions among members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Leading the wave of resignations is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who formally stepped down from office to pursue his governorship ambition in Bauchi State.
A valedictory session was held in his honour on Monday evening in Abuja, marking the end of his tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his resignation letter, Tuggar expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and for the confidence reposed in him to drive Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda under the administration’s 4D diplomatic framework.
He also thanked the ministry’s leadership, staff, and members of the diplomatic community for their support and cooperation throughout his time in office.
During his tenure, Tuggar was widely credited with strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic footprint through people-focused foreign engagements, humanitarian evacuations, improved diaspora coordination, and strategic bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
His time in office also witnessed increased economic diplomacy efforts aimed at attracting foreign investment, particularly in the energy sector, as well as the strengthening of regional security partnerships.
The resignation letter was submitted to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), in compliance with the presidential directive and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Political sources within the Villa disclosed that several ministers and senior appointees remained uncertain late into the night, with many still seeking political clarity before making a final decision on whether to resign.
According to insiders, the reluctance is less about lack of ambition and more about growing uncertainty within the ruling All Progressives Congress over ticket allocation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Many aspirants are said to be concerned by rising pressure within the party for automatic return tickets for incumbents, as well as the increasing use of consensus arrangements in determining candidates.
This development has reportedly narrowed the political space for new entrants, including serving ministers hoping to transition into elective offices.
For many of them, resigning without a clear signal from the party hierarchy could amount to surrendering federal relevance and influence only to face a pre-arranged ticket process dominated by sitting governors, lawmakers, and entrenched party power blocs.
Several ministers are therefore said to be weighing their options carefully, preferring to retain their positions while monitoring shifting political calculations within the party.
Among those reportedly still consulting are the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, and the Minister of State for Labour, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, both believed to be nursing political ambitions in their respective states.
The uncertainty has also been heightened by President Tinubu’s careful neutrality, which many within the party interpret as an effort to prevent premature factional alignments.
However, this posture has also deepened anxiety among appointees who are reluctant to take political risks without assurance of support from key power centres.
What may appear publicly as hesitation is, in reality, a strategic calculation shaped by internal party negotiations, timing, and elite consensus.
Meanwhile, indications have emerged that the presidency may be preparing for a major cabinet reshuffle following the resignation deadline.
Sources close to the Villa told Politicsdaily that the President is considering fresh appointments and possible restructuring of ministerial portfolios as vacancies begin to emerge.
Already, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, is reported to have concluded plans to exit the cabinet in pursuit of a senatorial bid in Kebbi State.
Similarly, other senior appointees and agency heads are said to be positioning themselves for governorship and legislative contests across several states.
Officials within the presidency suggest that the unfolding changes may offer President Tinubu an opportunity to recalibrate his cabinet, reward political loyalists, and inject fresh technocratic expertise into strategic ministries ahead of the next political cycle.
The coming days are expected to determine the scale of the shake-up, as attention shifts to possible replacements, ministry restructuring, and the broader political implications for governance.
With the March 31 deadline now at hand, the developments mark a defining moment for the administration, as politics and governance increasingly intersect on the road to 2027.