Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali has stepped down as Minister of Transportation to pursue the Gombe State governorship under the All Progressives Congress in 2027. His resignation follows a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requiring political appointees seeking elective positions to vacate their roles, in line with existing regulations. A statement from his media aide, Umar Alkali Jibril, confirmed that Alkali submitted his resignation to the President and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve. He cited notable achievements in the transportation sector during his tenure.
President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and praised Alkali for his contributions to national development. The minister, a native of Gombe State, made the announcement after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday. He is now expected to campaign for the gubernatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections. The current governor, Inuwa Yahaya, who was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, will complete his tenure in May 2027.
Alkali's exit is less about principle and more about positioning—his resignation was never in doubt once Tinubu set the rules. With Yahaya stepping down after two terms, the APC in Gombe now has a wide-open race, and a former minister jumping early gains visibility. This move signals the unofficial start of gubernatorial jostling in the state. For Nigerians, it means another high-ranking official trading public office for campaign mode well before the election cycle heats up.
