As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, political appointees in Oyo State are being urged to carefully study the recently enacted Electoral Act, 2026, before resigning to contest elective offices.
The law introduced several reforms aimed at strengthening internal party democracy and ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants.
One key provision that has attracted public attention concerns the eligibility of political appointees and public office holders intending to participate in party nomination processes.
Under the Electoral Act, 2026, individuals holding political appointments, including Ministers, commissioners, special advisers, and other political office holders are prohibited from participating in party primaries or being nominated as party candidates unless they resign from their offices beforehand.
According to the revised INEC guidelines and timetable, primaries starts on 23rd April, 2026. Therefore, appointees are expected to resign latest by 22nd March, 2026 a month interval before the commencement date in April.
Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, a provision carried over from previous Electoral Acts, states: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
In simpler terms, political appointees under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration cannot:
Serve as a voting delegate, “Be voted for, or
Be nominated as a party candidate unless they have formally resigned from their public office.”
The rule is designed to prevent the abuse of official power or influence during party primaries and nomination processes.
Legal challenges have previously tested this provision, with some courts questioning whether Section 84(12) conflicts with constitutional requirements on resignations.
Despite these debates, the principle has been upheld in practice, and relevant authorities are enforcing it ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Experts emphasised that resignation must occur before the party primary or nomination process, not merely 30 days prior to the general election, as some may mistakenly assume.
This distinction is particularly important for appointees in Oyo State seeking to secure eligibility for the 2027 elections.
With party primaries approaching, officials and advisers to Governor Seyi Makinde are reminding all political appointees to fully comply with the law to avoid disqualification.
