The Kwara State Government has directed civil servants intending to contest elective public offices in the 2027 general elections to resign from their positions, citing constitutional provisions and the revised election timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The directive was issued in a circular dated March 13, 2026 and signed on behalf of the Kwara State Head of Service, Dr. Okedare Adeyinka.
A copy of the circular addressed to heads of government establishments including commissioners, chairmen of commissions, and heads of extra‑ministerial departments was sighted in Ilorin.
The document emphasised that civil servants who intend to participate in the election process must resign if they wish to contest.
In Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu directed that all political appointees and members of the State Executive Council who intend to contest in the 2027 elections must resign from their positions.
In a Facebook post, the governor said the order must be complied with on or before March 26, 2026 and stressed that the directive aims to maintain focus and discipline in governance.
The Kwara circular referenced the issuance of the revised INEC timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections as the basis for the directive.
It cited Paragraph 2(a) of Part I of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the Code of Conduct for public officers, and drew attention to relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR 04421 and PSR 04422) that relate to resignation requirements.
The current INEC timetable indicates that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the exercises, are scheduled to begin on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.
In Cross River State, Governor Otu reiterated that public office should not be used as a platform for personal political ambitions and stressed the need for public officials to provide undivided attention to governance responsibilities.
He described the resignation directive as principled and aligned with best practices for fairness among aspirants.
The directives from both Kwara and Cross River State governments reinforce constitutional and electoral guidelines that require public officers who wish to contest elective offices to resign prior to participating in party primaries.
Civil servants and political appointees in both states who intend to run for elective positions are expected to comply with the orders within the stipulated timelines.
