King Charles III ceremonially welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in the first state visit by the leader of Africa’s most populous nation in nearly four decades.

Fresh political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections may trigger a shake-up in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu as some ministers are reportedly weighing resignation to pursue their political ambitions in their home states.

Findings by PUNCH revealed that at least four cabinet members are already positioning themselves for state-level contests, particularly where incumbent governors will complete their constitutionally allowed two terms in 2027.

Among those being mentioned are Adebayo Adelabu (Minister of Power), Muhammad Pate (Minister of Health and Social Welfare), Yusuf Tuggar (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

The Independent National Electoral Commission recently revised the electoral timetable, setting party primaries between April 22 and May 20.

By law, it is required that holders of appointed offices resign before the primaries.

According to 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, “A political appointee at any level shall not be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention, congress, and primaries of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

By implication, ministers, commissioners, special advisers, and other political appointees must resign their appointments before participating in party primaries either as aspirants or delegates.

Only Tinubu can order Adelabu’s resignation – Aide

Barring any last-minute change of plans, Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to vie for the Oyo governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress.

The minister is believed to be preparing for another shot at the Oyo State governorship race after he was defeated by Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023.

Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who contested under the platform of Accord Party in 2023, has remained a key figure in the state’s political calculations.

During an engagement with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in Lagos towards the end of last year, Adelabu hinted that he would love to achieve some feats “before I leave office.”

In a trending video in October 2025, Adelabu formally declared his intention to run for governor in Oyo, recalling how he lost to Makinde in 2019 and 2023.

“I have now paid my dues. I contested against Seyi (Makinde) in 2019. In 2023, I also contested against Seyi, then as the sitting governor. But in 2027, God has shown that it’s our turn. It’s Adelabu’s turn. Anything that belongs to Adelabu belongs to us all,” he said last year.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that interested individuals are already jostling for the seat of the minister.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, an aide of the minister, Femi Awogboro, confirmed his intention to contest for the state governorship seat.

Awogboro said President Tinubu had yet to direct the minister to resign his appointment for his governorship ambition.

“As of now, the President has not told Adelabu to resign as minister. Only the President can tell him to resign and until that, Adelabu continues to perform his functions, but he is definitely contesting for Oyo governorship seat,” Awogboro said.

Awogboro said the minister would resign from office at the appropriate time to pursue his aspiration.

He said Adelabu remained focused on delivering on his current national assignment but would comply with all political and legal requirements at the right time.

“The minister will resign at the appropriate time. Perhaps he is not the only minister in the cabinet who intends to contest in 2027. Others with political ambitions will also do the needful when the time comes. The masses should rest assured of that,” he said.

He dismissed concerns about the resignation, noting that Adelabu had previously demonstrated his readiness to relinquish high office when necessary.

According to him, the minister voluntarily resigned his position as Deputy Governor (Operations) at the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018.

However, the Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of the APC, Olawale Sadare, said no aspirant had officially declared interest in the 2027 elections because the party had not opened the process for such moves.

Sadare explained that the party would provide a level playing field for interested members once the appropriate time arrived.

“Anyone nursing an ambition at this stage should focus on consultations, especially at the grassroots level. When the time comes, they will have the full opportunity to pursue their political goals,” he added.

He, however, disclosed that individuals eyeing various political positions had begun consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and supporters across the grassroots ahead of the 2027 elections.

Pate, Tuggar battle for Bauchi governorship

Indications also emerged that Pate and Tuggar might be contesting the governorship seat of Bauchi State.

Pate, who hails from Mainari village in Ajili Ward of Misau Local Government Area, previously contested the governorship position.

Pate’s governorship ambition dates back to 2015 when he indicated an interest in contesting for the Bauchi State governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party.

He contested the governorship seat in 2019 under the Peoples Redemption Party after suffering a defeat at the APC primary.

In 2023, Pate also failed to pick up the APC governorship ticket.

His recent political engagements, particularly initiatives centred on youth employment and empowerment across parts of the state, have intensified talks that he may be preparing to rejoin the governorship race.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Coordinator of Pate Media Centre in Dass Local Government Area, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, said although it was not yet official, indications suggested that Pate had agreed to participate in the governorship race following pressure from supporters.

Abdulhamid explained that a group of Bauchi indigenes who believed in his leadership capacity visited him in Abuja to encourage him to join the contest.

He said, “A team from Bauchi that has faith in his capabilities went all the way to Abuja and sought his participation in the gubernatorial contest and he has accepted the contest.”

Another supporter, Garo Misau, said he was among residents of Bauchi State urging Pate to run for the state’s top political office.

Misau described the minister as highly qualified for the position.

He said, “Pate is eminently qualified for the seat of governorship in Bauchi State. Not only Bauchi State; any state in the country that has a son like Professor Pate will want him to lead it. He has an international reputation of capabilities and humanitarian impact.”

Tuggar, who hails from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, is also believed to be eyeing the governorship seat.

Tuggar, who previously contested the position, is said to have sustained political activities across the state.

The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed Tuggar’s intention to contest for the state governorship seat.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Abdulkadir said, “The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”

When asked when Tuggar would resign his ministerial appointment, Abdulkadir said, “There is a time table released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running, he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”

Also speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a member of the Tuggar Foundation from Toro Local Government Area, Ahmad Tilde, expressed confidence that the minister possessed the qualifications to lead Bauchi State.

Tilde said many residents across the state believed Tuggar had the capacity to govern effectively.

“If not Tuggar, then who do you think can? As far as I am concerned, this is the view of many people I know in Bauchi State, Tuggar is the next governor of the state.”

Speaking on whether the APC had been formally notified of the ambition, Tilde noted that the matter remained unofficial.

“Although I am confident that Tuggar will contest, it is not official yet because it is not time for declaration,” he stated.

Both Pate and Tuggar were sighted at the Bauchi State APC convention held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, further fueling speculations about their political ambition.

Onyejeocha to return to National Assembly

Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour, had spent 16 years (2007–2023) as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi constituency of Abia State.

A top credible source told Saturday PUNCH that the Abia State indigene was planning to return to the National Assembly.

“She was elected four times into the House of Rep and she wants to go back,” the source said.

Attempts to speak with her proved abortive as she did not take her calls or respond to a text message sent to her as of the time of filing this report.

INEC disowns March 26 resignation deadline

Meanwhile, INEC has dismissed a report claiming it fixed March 26 as the deadline for ministers and other public office holders intending to contest elections to resign their appointments.

In a public notice posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the commission said the information circulating online did not originate from it.

“The commission wishes to state clearly that the information is false and did not emanate from INEC. INEC has not issued any such announcement, and the graphic being circulated is fake and misleading,” the statement read in part.

The commission urged members of the public, media organisations and political stakeholders to disregard the message and rely only on its verified channels for election-related information.

According to INEC, all official announcements and updates are published through its website and verified social media platforms, as well as official press releases from the commission.

Makinde urges appointees to declare intentions

In a related development, Oyo State Governor, Makinde asked political appointees in his administration with aspirations for elective offices to openly declare their ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Makinde gave the directive on Thursday at the Oyo State Government-organised 2026 Iftar programme held at the frontage of the Banquet Hall, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

In a statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, the governor directed the aspirants to pursue their ambitions on the platform of the PDP.

Makinde said such aspirants could count on his support as long as their loyalty and commitment remained with the people and the development of the state.

He noted that the directive became necessary following claims that he had not given clearance to aspirants seeking political offices, especially those serving in his administration, despite the INEC has released the election timetable.

“I have read on social media that I have not given the go-ahead to political appointees who have ambitions to hold different political offices, including the governorship seat.

“So, henceforth, you are free. Anyone who wants to run for any position should put up their billboards. And those of you who are bothered about the PDP crisis, add the party’s logo to the billboard, nothing will happen.”

Source: PUNCH

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it will petition Amnesty International and other human rights organisations over the continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state.

The party said El-Rufai, one of its leaders, has been held in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for over 30 days, describing his detention as a violation of fundamental human rights.

In a statement issued by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, the party asked the ICPC to release El-Rufai immediately or arraign him before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Part of the statement read: “The African Democratic Congress declares that the continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of our democracy and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government.

“Thirty-two days ago, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith, an act that should define a law-abiding citizen in a democratic society.

“Two days after his release, he was taken again, this time by the ICPC. Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges, and under conditions that, by his own account include, restrictions from his family members and doctor; and coercion to abandon his political rights and associations as the price for his freedom.

“Let us be clear, this is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country.

“Freedom is not a privilege that is granted at the pleasure of the executive branch. It is a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution. The right to liberty. The right to fair hearing. The right to political participation. These are not negotiable. They are not conditional.

“And they are not to be negotiated in dark rooms under threat by agencies that report to President Tinubu and his appointees.”

The party mentioned the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the leadership of the ICPC among those it expects to ensure adherence to the law.

The ADC said the ICPC was established to investigate corruption and strengthen public trust in governance, adding that the agency should not be used as an instrument for political suppression.

The party said: “Nevertheless, as a law-abiding party, today, the ADC calls on all Nigerians, across party lines, across states, across religions, to rise in defence of the Constitution.

“Today it is El-Rufai. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else that the president sees as a threat to his 2027 agenda.

“The erosion of rights rarely begins with everyone, it begins with one, and spreads where and when silence permits it.

“We demand the immediate release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, or his immediate arraignment in a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing more. Nothing less. That is the law.”