Niger Govt directs appointees eyeing 2027 polls to resign

The Niger State Government has directed all political appointees and public office holders who intend to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 23, 2026.

The directive was issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, following the release of the revised timetable for the 2027 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the timetable, elections for the President and members of the National Assembly will be held on January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

INEC also announced that political parties will begin their primaries on April 23, 2026, as part of preparations for the elections.

The SSG explained that the directive is aimed at ensuring compliance with electoral laws, which require public office holders seeking elective positions to resign at least one month before party primaries.

“I am to draw the attention of all political appointees and other government officials who desire to contest for elective positions that the conduct of party primaries is expected to commence from April 23, 2026,” Usman said.

“In line with this development, all such appointees and officials are advised to resign their appointments by March 23, 2026, in order to meet the one-month requirement before seeking elective positions.”

The Niger State Government reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that political activities in the state strictly comply with constitutional and electoral provisions.