BREAKING: Tuggar resigns as Foreign Affairs Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue his ambition of contesting the Bauchi State governorship in the 2027 elections.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development on Monday through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stating that Tuggar submitted his resignation letter shortly after noon.

Sources indicate that he intends to run under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His resignation follows a directive issued earlier in March by the presidency, mandating all political appointees seeking elective positions to step down on or before March 31, 2026. The directive was conveyed through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

The order affects ministers, aides, and heads of federal agencies and is in line with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, aimed at preventing conflicts of interest as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.