Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is expected to resign from his position to pursue the Bauchi State governorship ahead of the 2027 elections, according to sources familiar with the development.
The planned resignation is linked to a directive issued by President Bola Tinubu, mandating all political appointees with ambitions to contest in the 2027 elections to step down from their positions on or before March 31, 2026. The directive was communicated in a statement by Dewan Goshit, head of information and public relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Tuggar’s anticipated move comes shortly after the All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its 2026 national convention, where most members of the party’s National Working Committee were returned unopposed. Attention has since shifted to cabinet members believed to be preparing for electoral contests but yet to formally declare their intentions.
Supporters of the minister from Bauchi State, who attended the convention, have indicated that a formal declaration of his governorship ambition is imminent, citing increasing political backing for his candidacy.
Before his appointment as minister in 2023, Tuggar served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He also represented the Gamawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011.
With the resignation deadline drawing near, focus remains on other political appointees expected to comply with the directive as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
