Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, has resigned from his position to pursue his ambition of contesting the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State.
The resignation was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Umar Jibril. According to the statement, the decision follows a presidential directive mandating all political appointees seeking elective positions to step down from their offices by March 31.
Alkali, in his resignation letter, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, highlighting what he described as notable achievements recorded in the transportation sector during his tenure.
“The minister is resigning to contest for the governorship in the upcoming elections… He expressed deep appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve,” the statement noted.
It was further disclosed that the President has accepted the resignation and commended Alkali for his service to the nation.
The move signals the early build-up to the 2027 general elections, with political realignments and ambitions already taking shape across various states. Alkali’s entry into the Gombe governorship race is expected to intensify political activities in the state as aspirants begin to position themselves ahead of party primaries.
