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.

In a fresh wave of defections at the National Assembly, three members of the House of Representatives, one from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defecting lawmakers are Oluwole Oke, representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State under the PDP, and two NNPP legislators from Kano State, Kabiru Rurum and Abdullahi Rogo.

Their decisions were formally announced during Thursday’s plenary session.

House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read out the letters from the lawmakers, marking their official departure from their previous parties and entrance into the APC.

Oke, a veteran lawmaker serving his sixth term, had earlier hinted at his intention to exit the PDP.

On April 23, he publicly expressed his readiness to leave, following discussions with his inner political circle.

He said he reached the decision after “consulting with his political associates, friends, and family members.”

Adding to the significance of the event, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje was present in the chamber to witness the defections.

He was accompanied by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, and other party leaders from Kano.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been declared Nigeria’s coalition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement was made by the party’s National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, during a National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Expressing concern over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, Nwosu emphasized the urgent need for good governance, which he described as essential to improving citizens’ lives.

He decried the increasing hardship faced by Nigerians and the alarming growth in poverty across the country.

Nwosu referenced the coalition formed last year, on March 20, 2023, which brought together Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), and Nasir El-Rufai (Social Democratic Party) to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

That coalition sparked widespread discussions about the need for unity among opposition parties.

Speaking through Mani Ahmed, Chairman of the ADC Board of Trustees, Nwosu said, “This consensus building, though very painstaking, has taken some time in the pipeline.”

“I can categorically today, by the grace of God, inform you that the African Democratic Congress is the coalition party in Nigeria. What remains to be done is nothing other than dotting the I’s and crossing the G’s.”

He added, “For us, this is a momentous occasion. This is a great opportunity for the party to involve and accommodate all Nigerians.”

“And by this gesture, we are inviting every Nigerian that has the love of this country in their heart to join us in this new crusade to bring about an enduring democratic change in our country by coming into our party, the African Democratic Congress, which can easily be seen as the African Democratic Coalition.”

The ADC chairman pledged that the party would stay committed to the idea of a united Nigeria, where all citizens can live and work freely.

He lamented the country’s steady decline and stressed that normal life has become increasingly difficult.

“We have watched over the years how things have gradually deteriorated to the extent that normal existence is becoming more and more difficult,” he said.

Referencing recent statistics, Nwosu noted that “about 5 million Nigerians have been added to the list of poverty-stricken people in the world on an annual basis. Now this is sad for a country that is richly endowed with enormous resources.”

He stressed the critical role of governance in reversing the country’s fortunes, saying, “There cannot be any other way to bring about change in the lives of our people that is better than providing good governance.”

“And this governance can only happen when you have the right people playing their part in the political process. ADC has over the years remained a formidable platform in the process of re-engineering Nigeria.”

Highlighting the party’s long-standing dedication, he stated, “Within the past 20 years of our existence, we have shown commitment to national growth.”

“We have exhibited the highest levels of nationalism and patriotism. And we have made several sacrifices to ensure that we bequeath to our next generation a country better than the one we have met.”

Though ADC has yet to lead at the federal level, Nwosu expressed hope that 2027 will present a turning point for the party.

“The journey that created this opportunity started a very long time ago. And we have had several meetings at the party in order to open up the party, re-engineer our processes, and be able to accommodate the teeming members of the political class that are willing and have lined up to join our great party, the African Democratic Congress,” he explained.

He noted that significant reforms have taken place in recent months to prepare the party for this expanded coalition.

“Within this month that we are discussing, the party has gone through lots of transformational phases, part of which has resulted in what we are going to actualise today, which is the final phase of the opening up of our party to accommodate the new people that are coming in.”

Nwosu concluded by urging civil society and grassroots organizations to actively participate in nation-building efforts, saying, “The politicians can’t do it alone and as such, in this process and this journey, we have also involved the civil society organisations as well as grassroots organisations. Because ADC strongly believes that all politics is grassroots politics.

“And we are happy that most of our grassroots and civil society partners are here with us and they’ve been part of this journey and they have exhibited great commitment and resilience over the months. And that has certainly reassured that the objective is very much achievable. We are building consensus.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to rally 35 million Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections in a bid to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from securing a second term, should he contest.

The party’s National Chairman, Ralphs Okey Nwosu, made this assertion during the ADC Global Summit held in Abuja on Wednesday.

Questioning the strength of a mandate garnered from under 10 million votes in a country with over 88 million registered voters in the lead-up to the 2023 polls, Nwosu emphasized the need for a stronger, broader democratic participation.

He said the ADC is taking steps to position itself as a formidable challenger in 2027 by re-engaging a disillusioned electorate and reversing the trend of voter apathy.

“Our strategy includes targeting Nigerians who have abstained from voting due to disillusionment, as well as engaging young people who turned 18 between 2023 and now,” he said.

Nwosu disclosed that civil society groups that joined the ADC recently have already made significant impact.

“Civil societies are already organising. They just joined us not more than six months ago but by now, their membership is over five million. They are going to pull out 20 million,” he said.

He stressed that the party’s target of 35 million voters is only a baseline estimate, stating: “The 35 million benchmark is just an understatement because of some of the challenges we have in this country. For the first time, the next president of Nigeria will win clearly.”

To strengthen its chances, the ADC is forging alliances across party lines.

“We are bringing many political parties together and I can assure you without mincing words, you’re going to see the biggest coalition of patriots, people-driven coalition,” Nwosu added.