**2027: Tinubu Orders Resignation of Politicians Seeking Elected Offices** In a move aimed at promoting transparency and fairness in the political process, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all his political appointees who intend to contest for elective offices in the 2027 general elections to resign on or before March 31, 2026. This directive, which applies to various categories of presidential appointees, including ministers, special advisers, and directors-general of parastatals, is in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026. It also aligns with the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections. The President emphasized that this measure is necessary to ensure that his appointees do not use their positions to gain an unfair advantage in the elections. By resigning, they will be able to participate in the primaries on a level playing field with other aspirants. The affected categories include Honourable Ministers, Honourable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Special Assistants the President, Personal Assistants to the President, All Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-owned Companies. This development comes as a welcome move in the Nigerian polity, where concerns about the misuse of power and influence in the electoral process have been a recurring theme. By taking this step, President Tinubu is signaling his commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the elections are free and fair. The resignation directive is expected to have a significant impact on the upcoming party primaries, as several of the President's appointees had expressed interest in contesting for elective offices. However, with this directive in place, they will now have to resign their positions and participate in the primaries as ordinary aspirants. Overall, this move by President Tinubu is a positive step towards promoting transparency and accountability in the Nigerian political system. It remains to be seen how this will play out in the weeks and months ahead, but one thing is certain: the 2027 elections are shaping up to be a critical moment in Nigeria's democratic journey.