By Joy Yesufu
The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, has resigned from the cabinet of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, just hours before the March 31, 2026 deadline set for political appointees seeking elective office.
The development was confirmed on Tuesday evening by the State House media office.
Sources at the Presidential Villa disclosed that Alkali tendered his resignation after a meeting with the President earlier in the day. The former senator is expected to contest the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
His move is widely seen as a strategic step to succeed incumbent Governor Inuwa Yahaya, whose tenure is scheduled to end in May 2027 after completing two terms in office.
Alkali’s resignation comes in compliance with a directive issued by the Presidency through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The directive, announced on March 17, mandates all political appointees with electoral ambitions to step down on or before March 31, 2026.
The circular, signed by George Akume, cited Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political office holders to resign before participating in party primaries.
The law is designed to ensure a level playing field by preventing incumbents from leveraging public office and state resources for electoral advantage.
According to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), party primaries are scheduled to hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Submission of candidates’ names is expected to close on July 11 for presidential and National Assembly elections, and August 8 for governorship and state assembly contests.
Alkali becomes one of several ministers to exit the Federal Executive Council in recent days, signalling the beginning of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
