Olusegun Ariyo
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has offered a detailed account of the misunderstanding that recently occurred between him and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and his Deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau.
The incident, which reportedly took place on April 19 during Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s visit to Bauchi, sparked widespread speculation after claims emerged that Deputy Governor Jatau slapped the minister during a bus ride from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to the Emir of Bauchi’s palace.
Jatau has since denied those allegations.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Tuggar clarified the circumstances, saying the dispute originated with Governor Mohammed, not his deputy.
“We were travelling 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 recounted.
The minister said he stood up to assert himself after the governor’s threat, explaining that “there was no way he could have any advantage over me”.
He added that Deputy Governor Jatau then rushed from the back of the vehicle, saying he too would slap him (Tuggar).
He emphasised that no physical altercation occurred and that the incident ended without escalation, contrary to online rumours.
“But he couldn’t even get close to me, especially since the Vice President was in the same vehicle,” Tuggar noted.
Tuggar accused the governor’s son of spreading false reports on social media, claiming Jatau had struck him. “Even the Deputy Governor later admitted the story was false and began pushing a different narrative.”
On speculations that the clash was politically motivated, particularly tied to Tuggar’s rumoured ambition to run for Bauchi governor in 2027, the minister neither confirmed nor denied it.
Instead, he said his criticism of the governor stemmed from genuine concern over the state’s governance.
“Everyone can see how farmlands and grazing lands are being taken away from farmers and herders and handed over to companies,” he said. “These companies then take loans under the guise of agriculture.
“But if the goal is development, why hasn’t Bauchi become a leader in grain or livestock production?”
Tuggar and Jatau are both from the Bauchi North Senatorial District, which has yet to produce a state governor since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
While Tuggar has not formally declared his candidacy, political observers believe he may contest in the 2027 elections.
