Three former ministers took the risk — APC primaries delivered the shock

Three former members of the Federal Executive Council under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have suffered major political setbacks after resigning from their cabinet positions to pursue governorship ambitions within the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.

The trio, who stepped down in compliance with a directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to resign before participating in party primaries, all failed to secure APC governorship tickets in their respective states.

Among those affected is former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who lost the APC governorship primary in Bauchi State.

Also unsuccessful was former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, whose bid to clinch the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State ended in defeat.

Similarly, former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, failed to emerge as the APC governorship candidate in Gombe State.

The defeats have sparked political discussions within the APC and across Nigeria’s political landscape, with analysts describing the development as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of internal party politics despite proximity to federal power.

Political observers note that holding ministerial office under the presidency does not always translate into grassroots control within state party structures, where governors, local stakeholders and entrenched political blocs often wield greater influence over delegate outcomes.

Public affairs analyst, Jide Ojo, said the outcome demonstrates the growing complexity of APC internal politics as the party begins early realignments ahead of 2027.

“Being a minister at the federal level may provide visibility and access, but governorship primaries are usually determined by local political structures and delegate loyalties within the state,” he explained.

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According to him, several aspirants often underestimate the influence of governors, party chairmen and grassroots mobilizers who control delegate networks during primaries.

Another political commentator, Kabiru Adamu, described the resignations as high-risk political calculations that ultimately failed to produce the desired outcome.

“They gave up strategic federal positions believing they had sufficient support to secure party tickets. Unfortunately for them, internal alliances shifted and political equations changed,” he said.

Analysts also argue that the defeats could reflect broader tensions within the APC, where multiple interest groups are already positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

In some states, local party leaders reportedly resisted what they viewed as attempts by federal appointees to leverage national influence against established state political structures.

The development has further renewed conversations around the political risks associated with mandatory resignation rules for public office holders seeking elective positions.

While supporters of the policy argue that it promotes fairness and prevents abuse of office, critics contend that it exposes appointees to career uncertainty if they fail to secure nominations.

For the affected former ministers, the outcome leaves their immediate political futures uncertain, at least for now, as they navigate the next phase of their careers outside the Federal Executive Council.

Despite the setbacks, political observers believe the three politicians may still retain relevance within the APC due to their national visibility, political networks and previous public service experience.

However, the losses underline a recurring lesson in Nigerian politics: federal appointment does not always guarantee dominance in state-level power contests, particularly within fiercely competitive party primaries.