Saidu Ahmed Alkali has stepped down from his role as Minister of Transportation to pursue his ambition of becoming the next governor of Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He announced his resignation after a meeting with Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

The development was confirmed in a circular signed by George Akume and issued by the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana.

According to the circular, the decision aligns with the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

The document further noted that the resignation complies with a directive from President Tinubu requiring cabinet members seeking elective positions to step down before participating in party primaries.

Alkali, a former senator who represented Gombe North, is now the third member of the Federal Executive Council to resign in line with the directive.