Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar Resigns to Pursue Bauchi Guber Bid

​ABUJA – In a major shake-up within the federal cabinet, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has officially resigned his appointment. The move, confirmed on Monday, March 30, 2026, marks the first high-profile exit from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the race for the 2027 general elections begins to gather momentum.

​The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development in a brief statement to journalists in Abuja, stating, “The resignation of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs is confirmed.”

​2027 Ambitions and the March 31 Deadline

​Ambassador Tuggar’s departure is directly linked to his intention to contest the governorship seat of Bauchi State under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Sources close to the former minister indicate that his resignation letter was submitted to the Presidency shortly after noon on Monday.

​The timing of the resignation is strategic. It comes just 24 hours before the March 31 deadline set by the Tinubu administration for all political appointees—including ministers, special advisers, and heads of agencies—who intend to run for elective office in 2027. This directive, issued through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), aims to ensure compliance with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable for party primaries.

​Legacy at the Foreign Ministry

​Appointed in August 2023, Tuggar was a central figure in President Tinubu’s “4Ds” foreign policy agenda: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography. During his tenure, he pushed for Nigeria’s repositioning on the global stage, recently securing a permanent seat for the country on the African Central Bank board.

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​However, his time in office was not without hurdles. Tuggar frequently voiced concerns over the chronic underfunding of Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, warning that many embassies were struggling to pay staff salaries and maintain basic operations.

​The Road to Bauchi

​A seasoned diplomat and former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Tuggar hails from Udubo in the Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State. This will not be his first foray into the state’s intense political landscape, having previously sought the governorship.

​With his exit, observers expect a “wave of resignations” across the Federal Executive Council before the Tuesday midnight deadline, as other ambitious cabinet members move to protect their eligibility for the 2027 polls.