The resign of appointees directive has been issued by the Bauchi State Government, instructing all political office holders intending to contest elective positions to step down from their roles by Friday. The order, issued in compliance with electoral regulations, sets a clear deadline for affected officials as part of the resign of appointees requirement ahead of internal party primaries and future elections.
Across Nigeria, electoral laws require political appointees seeking elective positions to resign from public office before participating in party primaries. This provision is designed to ensure fairness in the electoral process and prevent abuse of office during campaigns.
State governments often issue formal circulars to enforce compliance with these provisions, particularly ahead of general elections. Similar directives have been implemented in other states and at the federal level in line with the Electoral Act and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines. The resign of appointees policy is therefore a routine administrative step within Nigeria’s political transition cycle.
The Bauchi State Government directed all political appointees who intend to seek elective office to comply with the resign of appointees deadline on or before Friday. The directive applies to commissioners, special advisers, assistants, and other political office holders within the state administration.
The government stated that the decision aligns with statutory provisions governing participation in elections, requiring public office holders to vacate their positions before engaging in party nomination processes. Affected officials are expected to submit formal resignation letters and hand over responsibilities to appropriate officers within their ministries, departments, and agencies. The directive also emphasises compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), which governs eligibility for elective office participation.
The resign of appointees order is part of broader efforts to ensure adherence to electoral timelines and legal requirements as political activities intensify ahead of upcoming elections. The resign of appointees directive is expected to trigger administrative changes within the Bauchi State Government as affected officials step down from their positions. This may lead to temporary restructuring within ministries and government agencies.
Such directives are common during election cycles and are intended to maintain institutional neutrality while ensuring compliance with electoral law. They also shape early political alignments as office holders transition into electoral contests. For governance, the development reinforces the legal framework guiding public service participation in politics.
