Senator Saidu Alkali has resigned as Minister of Transportation, a move confirmed by the State House media office on Tuesday. The resignation comes just before President Bola Tinubu's March 31, 2026 deadline for political appointees seeking elective office. Alkali, who met with the President at the Presidential Villa before announcing his decision, is expected to contest the Gombe State governorship in the 2027 general elections. He aims to succeed Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and will leave office in May 2027.
The directive for resignations was issued on March 17, 2026, by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. It was signed by Secretary Sen. George Akume and Permanent Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Kana. The directive cites Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates that ministers, advisers, and heads of federal agencies must resign before contesting party primaries or seeking nomination. The rule aims to prevent the misuse of public office for electoral gain. Party primaries are scheduled between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with candidate submissions due by July 11 for national races and August 8 for state-level contests. Alkali is the third cabinet member to resign under this directive.
A minister stepping down to run for governor is politics as usual, not reform. Senator Saidu Alkali's exit was not voluntary but forced by a deadline tied to electoral rules. The fact that three cabinet members have had to resign shows the administration is only now enforcing what the law already required. For Nigerians, this means little change in how power is pursued—just business under a tighter schedule.
