FORMER Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the policies of his administration, dismissing reports suggesting that he criticised the President during a recent media interview.
Tuggar made the clarification in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Sunday in Bauchi through his media aide, Abdulkadir Alkassim, who said the minister’s comments in a Hausa-language interview had been misrepresented and taken out of context.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticise or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks,” Alkassim stated.
The aide further stressed that Tuggar remains a loyal supporter of the President and is fully committed to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress government.
According to the statement, the minister’s comments during the interview were centred on internal processes within the APC in Bauchi State, particularly the need to ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness in the selection of candidates.
The statement explained that Tuggar advocated for a system that allows party members to freely choose candidates through credible and competitive processes.
Alkassim added that the minister also raised concerns over alleged attempts to influence the APC governorship selection process in Bauchi State, maintaining that all aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through open and democratic contests.
“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest,” the aide said.
The statement also referenced President Tinubu’s directive that political appointees seeking elective office must resign within the stipulated timeframe, noting that all interested aspirants are expected to comply with the directive.
According to Alkassim, Tuggar’s remarks were intended to strengthen internal democracy within the APC and promote greater unity among party members in Bauchi State.
“Ambassador Tuggar remains steadfast in his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, committed to party unity and dedicated to advancing policies that promote development, prosperity, and good governance,” the statement added.
The clarification comes amid growing political activities ahead of future electoral contests, as stakeholders within the APC continue discussions on candidate selection and party cohesion across various states.
