The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, accused Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State of using his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms as a platform to advance his 2027 presidential aspirations.
Tuggar made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program.
He stated that the Bauchi State governor’s criticism lacked genuine intent.
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“Governor Bala Mohammed showed clearly that he does not have any sincerity of purpose,” Tugar said on the programme.
“It is not that other governors did not try to interrogate the tax bill when it was presented which is a good thing as a matter of fact so that Nigerians get the best out of the bill, but what Bala Mohammed proceeded to do was to use it as a platform to launch his presidential campaign very early in the day.
“He was the most severe in his invectives towards the president, towards the administration with his vituperations towards the president and the administration.”
The Minister stated that Governor Mohammed has been seeking a meeting with President Tinubu following his criticism of the president’s tax reform bills.
The Bauchi State governor had, while speaking to a Christian community on Boxing Day in Bauchi, urged President Tinubu to reconsider the tax policy reforms, warning that they could lead to anarchy.
He argued that the policy was unfavorable to the North and that governors would struggle to pay salaries.
He further warned that if the policies persisted, the northern region would “show its true colours” in response.
In response, the Presidency condemned the governor’s comments, labeling them a threat to the president. It also emphasized that Mohammed’s opinion did not represent the views of the entire northern region.
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