Cabinet exit ends in heartbreak for Tinubu ministers Tuggar, Adelabu, Alkali

The political gamble taken by former ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet ahead of the 2027 elections has produced more setbacks than success, with only two of the five former Federal Executive Council members securing party tickets after resigning their appointments.

The latest casualty is former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who lost the APC governorship primary in Bauchi State despite months of intense political mobilisation and grassroots consultations.

Tuggar polled 26,001 votes to finish second behind former Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abubakar, who secured a commanding victory with 57,517 votes. Another aspirant, Bala Wunti, came third with 13,648 votes.

The outcome effectively ends Tuggar’s governorship ambition and means that only two of the five former ministers who resigned from Tinubu’s cabinet have successfully secured party tickets.

The resignations followed a presidential directive requiring political appointees seeking elective offices to step down before participating in party primaries, in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

Among those who resigned were Tuggar, former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Yusuf Sununu, former Minister of Transportation Saidu Alkali, former Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu.

So far, only Onyejeocha and Sununu have emerged victorious.

Onyejeocha secured the APC ticket for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State after emerging unopposed, while Sununu clinched the APC ticket for Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency in Kebbi State.

For the others, the journey has been far less rewarding.

Former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu suffered a crushing defeat in the Oyo APC governorship primary, losing to Senator Sarafadeen Alli. Adelabu subsequently rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities and voter suppression during the exercise.

Similarly, former Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali failed to secure the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State after boycotting the primary election over alleged irregularities. The contest was won by Jamilu Gwamna, who enjoys the backing of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

With Tuggar’s defeat now confirmed, the scorecard of Tinubu’s former ministers seeking elective offices paints a picture of political reality beyond federal appointments.

While ministerial positions offer national visibility and influence, the primaries have once again demonstrated that grassroots structures, local alliances and internal party dynamics remain the ultimate deciding factors in Nigerian politics.

For many of the former ministers, resigning from the Federal Executive Council was a calculated political risk. As things stand, only two have secured the reward they sought, while three have seen their ambitions either stalled or outright rejected by party delegates.

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