The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed all political appointees intending to contest elective positions to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026, in line with electoral guidelines.
The directive comes ahead of preparations for political party primaries scheduled to hold between April and May 2026, as part of the build-up to the next electoral cycle in Nigeria.
Under Nigeria’s electoral framework, public office holders who wish to contest elective positions are required to step down from appointed roles before participating in party primaries.
This requirement is intended to ensure fairness and prevent the use of public office for political advantage.
Kano State, one of Nigeria’s most populous states, remains a key political centre where party activities and alignments often influence broader national political developments.
In a directive issued by the state government, Abba Kabir Yusuf instructed that all affected appointees must vacate their positions on or before March 31, 2026.
The directive applies to political appointees across ministries, departments and agencies who have declared interest in contesting for elective offices in the upcoming elections.
According to the report, the decision aligns with the timeline set for party primaries, which are expected to commence in late April 2026.
The order is part of administrative compliance with electoral requirements and ensures that appointees seeking political office disengage from official duties within the stipulated timeframe.
No exemptions were indicated in the directive, and all affected individuals are expected to comply with the instruction.
The directive is expected to trigger changes within the Kano State executive structure, as appointees who intend to contest elections step down from their roles.
For political parties, the move provides clarity ahead of primaries and ensures that aspirants meet eligibility conditions required under the law.
The development may also lead to administrative adjustments within government agencies as vacancies created by resignations are managed.
