By Boluwatife Oshadiya | April 1, 2026
Key Points
- President Tinubu meets former ministers ahead of resignation deadline compliance
- Ex-Transportation Minister Sa’idu Alkali linked to Gombe governorship ambition
- Series of consultations signals early political positioning for 2027 elections
Main Story
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held a series of closed-door meetings with former cabinet members at the State House, Abuja, as political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to take shape.
Among those received was former Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, who recently resigned in compliance with a Federal Government directive requiring politically ambitious appointees to step down by March 31. His visit is widely linked to preparations for a potential governorship bid in Gombe State.
Also present at the Presidential Villa was former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, marking his first known meeting with the president since exiting the Federal Executive Council in December 2025. While details of the discussion were not disclosed, political observers believe it may relate to evolving dynamics in Jigawa State.
In addition, former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje met with the president as part of ongoing consultations within the ruling party.
The meetings come amid a broader wave of resignations by ministers seeking elective positions, including Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and Yusuf Sununu, reflecting early mobilisation efforts across key states.
The Issues (Optional)
The flurry of resignations and consultations underscores the blurred line between governance and political ambition in Nigeria’s executive structure. It also highlights the strategic importance of incumbency advantage, as former officeholders leverage federal exposure to position for state-level power.
Furthermore, early political movement—nearly two years before elections—signals heightened competition within the ruling party and raises questions about governance continuity as experienced officials exit mid-cycle.
What’s Being Said
Political analysts interpret the meetings as part of a coordinated effort to maintain party cohesion while managing competing ambitions within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Observers also note that such high-level engagements may serve to preempt internal conflicts and discourage defections, particularly in politically sensitive states.
What’s Next
- Political declarations for governorship races expected in the coming months
- APC likely to intensify internal consultations ahead of primaries
- Further resignations may occur as other appointees signal electoral ambitions
The Bottom Line: The meetings at the Presidential Villa mark the quiet start of Nigeria’s 2027 election cycle, with early alignments suggesting that political strategy—not governance—will increasingly dominate the national agenda in the months ahead.
