MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has explained the reason behind the dispute between him and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state and his Deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau.
On April 19, the minister was among dignitaries who accompanied Vice-President Kashim Shettima to Bauchi.
Hours later, reports alleged that Jatau dished a slap on Tuggar in a bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the emir of Bauchi’s palace.
The reports claimed the slap occurred after the minister made disparaging comments about the governor.
The Deputy Governor denied the claims.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, the Minister shed more light on what led to the misunderstanding that escalated into a confrontation.
According to him, contrary to some claims that he clashed with the Deputy Governor, the issue actually started with the Governor himself, while they were in a bus with the Vice President during the latter’s visit to the state.
He said: “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.”
He stated that the security personnel present were not from Bauchi but had been brought in from Abuja.
Tuggar further said, “There was no physical contact between the Governor and 1—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.”
“The Deputy Governor himself later admitted the story wasn’t true and began spreading a different version that he didn’t slap me.”
Regarding suggestions that the rift between the Minister and the Governor stemmed from Tuggar’s alleged ambition to run for Governor of Bauchi in the future, 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.”
Ambassador Tuggar attributed the rift to differences over how the Bauchi State government is being run.
He said: “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 added that 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 hail from the Bauchi North Senatorial District, a region that has never produced a state governor since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Although Tuggar has not formally declared his intention to run for governor in 2027, strong indications suggest he is eyeing the position.