The political ambitions of some former ministers under President Bola Tinubu have suffered major setbacks after they resigned from the Federal Executive Council to contest elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Five former ministers stepped down following a directive that political appointees seeking elective offices must resign before participating in party primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2026. However, only two of the ex-ministers have successfully secured party tickets so far.
Among those affected are former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; and former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali.
Others include former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sunu
Out of the five former ministers, only Onyejeocha and Sununu have emerged victorious in their political bids.
Onyejeocha clinched the APC ticket for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State after emerging unopposed, while Sununu secured the APC ticket for the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency in Kebbi State after stepping down from the Kebbi South senatorial race.
Adelabu’s attempt to secure the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State ended in defeat after Senator Sarafadeen Alli overwhelmingly won the primary election.
Alli polled 578,143 votes, while Adelabu managed 19,193 votes in the exercise.
The former power minister rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities, intimidation and manipulation during the primary process.
According to him, some of his supporters were prevented from voting in several wards, while results were allegedly recorded in areas where voting did not take place.
We are going to submit serious petitions against the irregularities that occurred during the primary, Adelabu said.
However, speaking later through his media aide, Femi Awogboro, the ex-minister insisted he had not seen any officially declared result
In Gombe State, former transport minister Saidu Alkali boycotted the APC governorship primary over alleged lack of fairness and transparency in the process.
The primary was eventually won by Jamilu Gwamna, who defeated Alkali and former Communications Minister Isa Pantami.
Gwamna scored 247,161 votes, while Alkali and Pantami polled 11,612 and 12,120 votes respectively.
Despite reports suggesting he may leave the APC, Alkali’s camp insisted he remained loyal to the ruling party and only boycotted the process without withdrawing from the race.
The fate of Yusuf Tuggar’s governorship ambition in Bauchi State remains uncertain amid speculation that former governor Muhammad Abubakar may emerge as the APC consensus candidate.
Supporters of Tuggar have threatened to dump the APC if the party imposes a candidate instead of allowing a transparent primary process.
Speaking on behalf of the Tuggar political movement, Ibrahim Malam accused the APC of undermining internal democracy.
We cannot remain in a party where democracy is not practised,” he stated.
A social media influencer and supporter of Tuggar, Bello Adamu, popularly known as Elder Karofi, also rejected what he described as an attempt to impose a candidate on party members.
The outcomes of the APC primaries in several states have exposed growing internal tensions within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.
While some former ministers succeeded in securing tickets after resigning from Tinubu’s cabinet, others now face political uncertainty after sacrificing ministerial positions without achieving their ambitions.
The developments have also sparked fresh debates about internal democracy, consensus arrangements and alleged manipulation in party primaries across several states.
