Tuggar,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has opened up about the dispute involving him, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and his Deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, shedding light on the events that sparked controversy during Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s recent visit to the state.
The incident reportedly occurred on April 19 during a trip from the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to the Emir of Bauchi’s palace.
Media reports initially alleged that Deputy Governor Jatau slapped the minister inside a bus conveying dignitaries, a claim the Deputy Governor later denied.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Tuggar clarified that the confrontation didn’t begin with the Deputy but rather with the Governor himself.
“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,” Tuggar explained.
“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,” he added.
Tuggar said the Governor’s Deputy then attempted to intervene.
“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.”
He emphasized that no physical altercation occurred.
“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.”
“However, the Governor’s son, who is trying to meddle in politics, went online spreading the story that Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau slapped me,” Tuggar noted.
“The Deputy Governor himself later admitted the story wasn’t true and began spreading a different version that he didn’t slap me.”
Responding to speculation that the tension might stem from his rumored 2027 governorship ambition, Tuggar remained noncommittal.
“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.”
He attributed the underlying tensions to governance concerns in Bauchi State.
“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 said.
Tuggar questioned the effectiveness of these agricultural policies.
“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 Bauchi North Senatorial District, a region yet to produce a state governor since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
Though Tuggar has not publicly declared interest in the 2027 governorship race, signs suggest he may be positioning himself for the role.
