- Resignation from high office is uncommon in Nigeria politics making each instance notable due to the rarity of such events
- Nigerian politicians frequently resign to assume other significant roles within the government or by scandals that threaten the public image of the officials involved
- TheRadar compiled politicians who have resigned from their positions in government
In Nigerian politics, resignations from high office are a rare occurrence, often signalling significant shifts or crises within the government. This is unlike many democratic countries, where resignations are more commonly used to address personal or political reasons.
Nigerian politicians typically resign either to seek another position within the government or in response to scandals that jeopardise their public reputation. This makes the instances of resignation particularly notable.
TheRadar compiled 10 politicians who resigned from their positions in government.
1. Simon Lalong resigns from senatorial position
Simon Lalong, the former Minister of Labour and Employment, is an example of this trend; he resigned to take up the position of Senator for Plateau South, a post affirmed by an appeal court ruling on November 7, 2023.
He served as the Minister of Labour and Employment in 2023. He was also the Governor of Plateau State from 2015 to 2023.
2. Amaechi resigns to pursue presidential race
Reflecting a similar pattern, Amaechi officially resigned from his role as Minister of Transportation to pursue his ambition of entering the 2023 presidential race.
Amaechi's resignation letter, dated May 16, 2022, and directed to President Muhammadu Buhari, explained that his resignation was to allow him to participate in the upcoming general elections.
He said, “It is with mixed feelings that I tender my resignation as the Minister of Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to contest for the Presidential ticket of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.”
3. Oduah resigns as a result of corruption allegations
Stella Oduah served as Nigeria's Minister of Aviation from July 2, 2011, to February 12, 2014, and has been a Senator for the Anambra North Senatorial District since 2015.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan disclosed Oduah's resignation from her role as Minister of Aviation at a Federal Executive Council meeting in February 2024. Oduah resigned following allegations of fraud and forgery.
Two separate panels found her guilty of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority's (NCAA) procurement of two bulletproof cars for N255 million, which was in breach of Nigeria’s procurement and appropriation laws.
The former Minister was accused of having received an honorary doctorate from a university later identified as non-existent. Additionally, she was found to have falsely claimed on the Ministry of Aviation’s website that she held a Master’s degree from St. Paul College in Lawrenceville, Virginia. Investigations showed that the college does not offer graduate programs and thus did not issue the degree.
4. Adeosun resigns due to certificate forgery accusation
President Buhari’s appointment of Kemi Adeosun as Minister of Finance was a scandal waiting to happen, unknown to Nigerians and likely Buhari himself.
In July 2018, it was reported that Adeosun did not have an NYSC certificate. The accusations also included the forgery of an exemption certificate obtained long after her graduation. She resigned a few months later.
5. Alhassan disqualified from government primaries
Following her appointment as Minister of Women Affairs by President Buhari, Aisha Alhassan set her sights on the Taraba governorship in the lead-up to the 2019 elections.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) disqualified her from participating in the party's primaries during the screening process, leading to her resignation from office.
In her resignation letter, she informed the president that by disqualifying her from the governorship race, the party effectively suggested she was unfit to continue as a Minister.
She criticised the disqualification, stating that it was a grave injustice since she had bought the form and had been a loyal supporter of the party.
6. Conflict of interest was speculated for Nnaji’s resignation
Appointed as Minister of Power by President Jonathan in 2011, Professor Bartholomew Nnaji's term was short-lived, ending with his resignation in 2012.
As part of the power sector reforms and privatisation efforts, Nnaji was tasked with overseeing the sale of 6 power generation companies and 11 distribution companies.
He revealed that a company in which he held ownership interests (placed in a blind trust during his tenure) participated in the bidding process.
As a result, there were speculations that his resignation was prompted due to a conflict of interest.
7. Etteh resigns following weeks of pressure on fraud allegations
Patricia Olubunmi Foluke Etteh served as the 10th Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives from June to October 2007.
She was initially elected as an Alliance for Democracy (AD) member in 1999, but she switched to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) when she ran for re-election in 2003.
She was alleged to have authorised 628 million Naira (approximately US$5 million) for the renovation of her official residence and her deputy's residence and for buying 12 official vehicles intended for the House of Representatives in September 2007.
Etteh resigned as Speaker on October 30, having faced weeks of persistent pressure.
8. Buhari resigns following certificate forgery scandal
As the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1999, Salisu Buhari occupied the fourth-highest position in Nigeria.
However, his tenure was cut short after just six weeks due to the University of Toronto scandal, which eventually led to his resignation and prosecution.
He was found guilty of certificate forgery and given a two-year prison term, which could be replaced by a fine. He paid the fine and was eventually pardoned by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
9. Takai resigns for governorship race
Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai resigned from his role as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Kano State in 2010 to contest in the 2011 governorship election.
In his resignation statement, he mentioned "incessant calls" from different segments of society that led him to pursue the gubernatorial election. He also acknowledged Governor Shekarau for the chance to work as commissioner for water resources and later for local government affairs over seven years.
He ran for governor three times with different parties: All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2011, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, People's Redemption Party (PRP) in 2019, and All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2020.
10. Ngilari resigns following impeachment charges
Bala Ngilari served as the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2008 to 2014, resigning from the position in 2014.
Ngilari and Governor Murtala Nyako faced impeachment charges due to corruption allegations, which were perceived to have prompted Ngilari’s resignation.
Mr. Ngilari’s resignation letter was presented at plenary by Speaker Umaru Fintiri, and it was approved by the lawmakers.
Nationwide protest: Protesters demand Akpabio’s resignation, face heavy security
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio came under fire for his remark, “Let them protest, let us be eating,” concerning the nationwide hunger protest.
Akpabio's statement triggered widespread anger among Nigerians, who felt the Senate President lacked empathy and was insensitive to the citizens' struggles, resulting in the demand that he resign.