Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has clarified the circumstances surrounding his dispute with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and his Deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau.
On April 19th, Tuggar accompanied Vice-President Kashim Shettima on a visit to Bauchi. Subsequently, reports surfaced alleging that Jatau slapped Tuggar on a bus transporting dignitaries, following disparaging remarks made by the minister about the governor. Jatau denied these claims.
In a BBC Hausa interview, Tuggar provided his account of the incident, stating that the confrontation began with Governor Mohammed during the bus ride with the Vice-President. He explained, “We were traveling in a vehicle accompanying the Vice President on a visit to Bauchi State. The Vice President spoke to me, and the Governor, who was sitting beside him, interjected in a conversation that didn’t concern him. After that, he insulted my late father—my father who has been dead for over twenty years—and then went further to threaten to slap me. But I saw that if left alone there is no way he can have advantage over me, so I stood up to show him my height. After that, his deputy came rushing from the back of the bus, saying he too would slap me, but he couldn’t even get close to me, especially since the Vice President was in the same vehicle.”
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He clarified that the security personnel present were from Abuja, not Bauchi. Tuggar also addressed claims that Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau had slapped him, saying, “The Governor’s son, who is trying to meddle in politics, went online spreading the story that Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau slapped me. The Deputy Governor himself later admitted the story wasn’t true and began spreading a different version that he didn’t slap me.” He also stated that “There was no physical contact between the Governor and I—he merely said he would slap me, but when he realized he couldn’t actually reach me, the matter ended there.”
Regarding suggestions that the dispute stemmed from Tuggar’s alleged gubernatorial ambitions, he responded, “Whether I have such an ambition or not, if you look at my history, you’ll see that when it’s time to speak the truth, I do so. What’s happening directly affects my local government and our town, Udubo.”
Tuggar attributed the rift to disagreements over the Bauchi State government’s administration, citing concerns about land allocation to companies. “Everyone can see how farmlands and grazing lands are being taken away from farmers and herders and handed over to companies. These companies then come in under the pretense of engaging in agriculture, taking loans in the process. This is disheartening, because when farmlands or grazing areas are seized from people, some end up being pushed into criminal activities.” He questioned the state’s development claims, saying, “If these actions were truly aimed at developing the state as claimed, then why hasn’t Bauchi State become a leader in grain production or cattle rearing? Instead, things seem to be going backward.”
Both Tuggar and Jatau are from the Bauchi North Senatorial District, which has not produced a governor since 1999.
While Tuggar has not officially announced his gubernatorial intentions for 2027, there are strong indications he is considering a run.
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