Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has issued a seven-day ultimatum to all political appointees and public servants intending to contest elective positions, directing them to resign from their posts.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Faruq Ibrahim, the governor said affected officials have until Tuesday, March 31, 2026, to either resign or retire from service.

Those affected include commissioners, special advisers, directors-general, executive secretaries, managing directors, senior special assistants, senior special reporters, special assistants, special reporters, and personal assistants.
“In line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other applicable regulations governing the conduct of public officers, all political office holders who wish to contest in the forthcoming elections are hereby required to resign their appointments,” the statement read.

The directive, according to the SSG, is aimed at ensuring strict compliance with the legal framework, particularly Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which regulates the participation of public officers in partisan political activities.
It also seeks to uphold the principles of neutrality, accountability, and integrity within the public service.

“Accordingly, all public officers who are interested in contesting in the forthcoming general elections are required to resign or retire, as the case may be, on or before Tuesday, March 31, 2026,” the statement added.
Copies of the directive were sent to the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Head of Civil Service, the Clerk of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the Chief Registrars of the High Court and Sharia Court of Appeal in the state.