Said Alkali has resigned as Minister of Transportation, complying with President Bola Tinubu's directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to step down by 31 March. His resignation was confirmed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Umar Jibril, and shared with journalists in Gombe. Alkali is expected to contest for the Gombe State governorship under the All Progressives Congress (APC). In his resignation letter, he expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, stating, "I am deeply grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the privilege to serve our great nation. As I step down, I do so with a sense of fulfilment over the progress recorded in the transportation sector, and with renewed determination to continue serving the people in a greater capacity." The presidency has accepted his resignation and acknowledged his dedication to national service. His move follows similar steps by other ministers, including Yusuf Tuggar, who also resigned to pursue a governorship bid in Bauchi State on the APC platform.
Said Alkali's exit is less about resignation and more about political recalibration — a minister swapping a national portfolio for a state-level gamble. With the presidency accepting his departure without delay, the path is now clear for a heavyweight contest in Gombe, where ministerial clout meets grassroots ambition. His claim of "progress recorded" in transportation offers little concrete for voters to measure, especially in a sector long hobbled by underinvestment and decay. For Nigerians, this signals not change in governance, but the familiar rhythm of officeholders using federal positions as springboards to state power.
