Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has resigned from his position, according to a statement on Monday by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
His resignation makes him the first to officially indicate interest in running for elective office among President Bola Tinubus cabinet member.
The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, had earlier confirmed Tuggar’s intention to contest for the governorship of his home state, Bauchi.
Ebienfa said: ‘The resignation of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs is confirmed’.
Tuggar is among the ministers speculated to resign to pursue their political ambitions.
Abdulkadir had earlier said: The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State’.
When asked when Tuggar would resign his ministerial appointment, Abdulkadir responded: ‘There is a timetable released by INEC (the Independent National Electoral Commission) that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running. He (Tuggar) will adhere to this’.
Tuggar, who hails from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, previously contested for the position.
Two weeks ago, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dewan Nengak Goshit, issued a directive that political appointees in the Bola Tinubu administration have until 31 March 2026 to resign, if they intend to contest elective positions in the general elections, which will hold in January and February, next year.
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Goshit explained that the directive was ‘pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the INEC for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections’.
