Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar Resigns to Pursue Bauchi Governorship
Korede Abdullah 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar
LAGOS, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from his position, setting the stage for a political contest in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Ministry confirmed on Monday that Tuggar submitted his resignation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after noon, declaring his intention to run for governor under the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Tuggar’s exit follows a presidential directive issued earlier in March, requiring all political appointees with electoral ambitions to step down.
The order, communicated through the office of George Akume, sets a March 31, 2026 deadline for resignations.
It applies to ministers, advisers, assistants, and heads of federal agencies.
The directive is anchored on Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, aimed at preventing conflicts of interest as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections.
Tuggar’s resignation marks one of the earliest high-profile moves ahead of the race, potentially reshaping political dynamics in Bauchi State.
With the 2027 elections still months away, more resignations are expected as political appointees reposition themselves for electoral contests.
Analysts say the directive could level the playing field — but also trigger an early wave of political realignments across the country.
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