As the 2027 election season draws closer, political signs suggest that several ministers under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are quietly and in some cases, openly, preparing to re-enter the governorship race in their home states.
At least five members of the current Federal Executive Council contested gubernatorial seats during the 2023 elections.
These include Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris Malagi, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yiltwada Goshwe, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
Though only four of them were APC candidates, Malagi, who lost in the primaries, is now being seen as a potential comeback figure.
Their ministerial appointments are widely interpreted as compensatory placements and strategic platforms to stay politically relevant and better positioned for 2027.
Already, early maneuvers indicate renewed interest in governorship contests.
For Oyetola and Matawalle, the plan is reportedly to face old opponents again, but under a more favorable political environment.
Adelabu, meanwhile, appears to have a clearer path, as incumbent Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approaches the end of his second term.
The scenario isn’t new. Since Nigeria’s Second Republic, federal appointments have often served as springboards for gubernatorial ambitions, especially in opposition-held states.
For instance, during the 1983 elections, then-Minister of the FCT, John Khadiya, challenged Plateau’s Governor Solomon Lar.
A similar trend followed in Benue, with Minister Paul Unongo making an unsuccessful bid against Governor Aper Aku.
Ministerial roles have historically given political actors leverage to mount serious challenges, regardless of whether they shared party platforms with sitting governors.
During Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, Damishi Sango (sports minister) ran against Joshua Dariye, while Isa Yuguda moved from a federal role to become Bauchi State governor.
This pattern has continued. Political figures like Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Bala Mohammed, and Darius Ishaku all moved from ministerial appointments to state leadership.
Today, at least seven ministers are rumored to be nurturing gubernatorial ambitions.
Many prefer state leadership roles due to the greater autonomy and security they offer compared to federal appointments that serve at the pleasure of the president.
In states like Niger and Plateau, where governorship positions may rotate out of certain zones by 2031, potential candidates are seizing the moment before zoning makes them ineligible.
Bello Matawalle & Adegboyega Oyetola: Redemption In 2027?
Both former governors, Matawalle and Oyetola, are reportedly preparing for political comebacks.
Having lost in 2023, they now view the upcoming elections as a second chance with better odds under an APC-led presidency.
Adelabu’s Ground Game In Oyo
Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, is gearing up once again for Oyo’s top seat.
Despite back-to-back losses in 2019 and 2023 (on APC and Accord Party platforms respectively), he remains a strong contender.
Returning to the APC in late 2023, Adelabu declared, “I returned not because of 2027 governorship ambition or to take over the party, but because I believe this is a party that brought President Bola Tinubu to power, and we need to support him to deliver on his electoral promises.”
He emphasized, “This is not time for politics, it is time for governance and Tinubu needs our support for him to succeed and deliver on his Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Adelabu assured party members, “I have come back to the party not to take over the party and not to dissolve executives; we have come to the party to extend hands of fellowship and reconciliation.”
Still, sources reveal he is quietly consolidating support, staying close to his Ibadan base, overseeing federal palliatives, and strengthening his profile.
A major showdown is anticipated between him and Teslim Folarin for the APC ticket.
Plateau: Nentawe Returns with a Message
Prof. Nentawe Yiltwada, who ran under APC in 2023 and is now Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, appears to be actively reconnecting with Plateau citizens.
His condolence visits and engagement with traditional and religious leaders are widely viewed as political positioning.
His words on a Jos radio programme summed up his approach: “Politically, I have the capacity to put pressure on the state but I choose to give them space to work so we can rate them at the end.”
He further remarked, “I was very close to the Simon Lalong government; Lalong achieved a lot in terms of roads… Can we put on the table the achievements of the APC and PDP?”
While his party insists there is no automatic ticket, his activities suggest serious groundwork for a 2027 rematch.
Bayelsa: Lokpobiri’s Quiet Moves
In Bayelsa, Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, is emerging as a strong contender.
A seasoned lawmaker and former speaker, Lokpobiri’s alignment with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike may prove pivotal.
Though yet to officially declare, supporters are confident.
One said, “All the local governments in the state will vote for Lokpobiri if he decides to join the race… he has also backed his politics with human empowerment.”
Malagi in Niger: Subtle But Strategic
In Niger State, Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi is quietly building influence.
He’s reportedly placing loyalists in key federal roles and leveraging political appointments to boost his network.
An insider noted, “The minister is operating silently but effectively. If Bago’s camp faces prolonged internal opposition, Malagi could emerge as a viable alternative, especially given his federal leverage and Abuja connections.”
Kyari’s Long-Awaited Turn In Borno
Senator Abubakar Kyari, now a cabinet minister, has long been seen as a gubernatorial hopeful in Borno.
Despite being overlooked in the past, he’s widely respected for his political experience and unwavering loyalty to APC.
He once explained his political stance, saying, “I have been in the opposition since 1999 even when many others defected to the PDP.”
His actions during crises, such as delivering massive food relief to flood victims in Maiduguri, further solidify his image as a responsive leader.
Political analysts suggest he may enjoy backing from Vice President Kashim Shettima and even President Tinubu.
