Resign before March 31 if you’re seeking elective office — Tinubu orders appointees

President Bola Tinubu has issued a mandatory deadline of March 31, 2026, for all political appointees wishing to contest the 2027 general elections to resign from their positions, citing the need for transparency and a level playing field

In a sweeping directive aimed at sanitizing the 2027 electoral process, President Bola Tinubu has ordered all political appointees seeking elective office to step down no later than March 31, 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Dewan Goshit, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The move is designed to bring the executive branch into full compliance with Section 88(1) of the newly minted Electoral Act 2026 and the primary election timetable recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). By setting this deadline, the President aims to prevent the use of state resources for personal campaigns and ensure that government business is not neglected for political gain.

The directive casts a wide net, affecting high-ranking cabinet members, including Ministers and Ministers of State, as well as Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants. Additionally, the heads of all federal agencies, commissions, and government-owned companies (Directors-General and CEOs) are required to submit their resignation letters through the SGF’s office by the stipulated date. According to the statement from the OSGF, “President Tinubu emphasised that the measure is necessary to ensure full compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency in the political process, and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.”

This “quit notice” is expected to trigger a significant reshuffling of the Federal Executive Council as several ministers have already been linked to governorship and senatorial ambitions across various states. While some appointees have been hesitant to leave the corridors of power, the March 31 deadline leaves little room for ambiguity. Political analysts suggest this early enforcement is a strategic move to allow the President time to fill vacant positions with “fresh hands” who can focus entirely on governance during the critical pre-election year. Failure to comply with the directive is expected to result in summary dismissal, as the administration seeks to avoid the legal pitfalls that plagued the previous election cycle.

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