Resignation gamble backfires for ex-ministers Adelabu, Tuggar, Alkali

The political landscape in Nigeria is buzzing with activity as former ministers, who resigned to pursue electoral ambitions, navigate the complexities of party primaries. The directive from President Bola Tinubu for appointees seeking office to step down ahead of the 2027 general elections has led to a significant reshuffle, but the outcomes are proving to be a mixed bag for these former cabinet members.

As The Punch reports, out of five prominent former ministers who resigned, only two—Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and Yusuf Sununu—have managed to secure their party tickets. This outcome highlights the unpredictable nature of political contests and the challenges faced even by those with recent government experience. The success of Onyejeocha and Sununu, who secured unopposed tickets or withdrew from one race to secure another, contrasts sharply with the setbacks faced by others.

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In some wards, our people were prevented from voting; they were intimidated, they were chased away violently. And in some wards, voting did not take place at all, but they recorded numbers for them.

Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, are among those whose aspirations have been dashed in the governorship primaries. Adelabu's defeat in Oyo State was particularly contentious, leading him to allege widespread manipulation and intimidation during the primary process. His vow to challenge the outcome underscores the deep-seated issues of electoral integrity that continue to plague our democracy. Similarly, Alkali boycotted the Gombe governorship primary due to alleged irregularities. The fate of former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, who resigned to contest the Bauchi governorship ticket, remains uncertain as his primary outcome is still pending. This situation underscores the high stakes and intense competition involved in Nigerian politics, where resignation from high office does not guarantee electoral success.

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All these kinds of misconduct are not good at this stage of our democracy in Nigeria and something has to be done about it. We are going to write serious petitions against all these things that took place.