Minister of Education Tunji Alausa has firmly dismissed online rumours suggesting he plans to resign from office to pursue the 2027 Lagos State governorship election, declaring that he remains fully committed to his current duties.
Debunking the rumour on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the minister tagged the originator of the claim and wrote, “We’re still hard at work here at the FME, don’t believe the rumours”.
The Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, also refuted the claim. He quoted the speculation post with a video showing Alausa at the Federal Executive Council meeting, captioning it, “Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa currently at the Federal Executive Council Meeting”.
The clarification followed a post by an APC supporter on X, Imran Muhammad, who had claimed that the minister “may resign in order to pursue his Lagos State governorship ambition.” “According to a source, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, may resign in order to pursue his Lagos State governorship ambition,” Imran wrote, noting that it is customary for public office holders to resign before commencing campaigns for another position.
According to the 2027 election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties are expected to conduct their primary elections between April 23 and May 30. This means political appointees seeking elective offices would need to resign from their positions to enable them to contest and secure their parties’ tickets ahead of the 2027 elections.
The post triggered conversations online, particularly as political permutations intensify ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship race. Among those speculated to be potential flagbearers of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos are Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Seyi Tinubu, Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, and Tunji Alausa.
Alausa, who was appointed Minister of Education on October 23, 2024, following a cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu, had previously served as Minister of State for Health before his redeployment to the education ministry
As at the time of filing this report, there has been no official indication that the minister plans to step down from his current role.
The clarification comes as speculation intensifies around who will succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is serving his second and final term.
