Tuggar Resigns as Foreign Minister, Sets Sight on Bauchi Governorship

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s minister of foreign affairs, has resigned, opening the door for an anticipated bid in the 2027 governorship election in Bauchi State.

Tuggar reportedly sent in his resignation letter on Monday at noon, in accordance with a presidential order mandating that political appointees running for elective office quit before the deadline of March 31, 2026.

According to people familiar with the situation, the action is calculated and would put the former minister in a position to run on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

Shortly after noon, Tuggar delivered his resignation letter to the president. In 2027, he will run for governor of Bauchi, according to a source.

In Bauchi State, where rivalry for the governorship seat is already heating up among major aspirants, his planned participation is likely to rebalance political forces.

Tuggar’s departure coincides with a larger wave of anticipated resignations from President Tinubu’s cabinet, which was mandated earlier in March.

All political appointees with aspirations to run for office are have to leave by March 31, 2026, at the latest, according to an order issued by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) schedule for party primaries prior to the 2027 general elections are in line with the direction.

Ministers, ministers of state, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, personal assistants, directors general, and chief executives of federal agencies and parastatals are only a few examples of the wide range of officials covered by it.

The APC in Bauchi, where several candidates are already vying for the party ticket, is anticipated to become more competitive as a result of Tuggar’s bid for governor.

According to a state source, his background as a career diplomat and current minister might provide a strategic advantage, especially in terms of political network and national visibility.

More resignations are expected when appointees meet the conditions to take part in the election cycle, with less than a day remaining before the presidential deadline.