The political difference and stiff rivalry between the Bauchi State Government and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar took a different dimension on Friday, April 18, 2025.
The followed the open exchange of words and accusations and counter accusations that were openly displayed by key officials of both the federal and Bauchi State governments.
The venue of the altercation was at a traditional ceremony in which the former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar was being conferred with a traditional title of Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi emirate which held at the Emir of Bauchi’s palace in Bauchi.
The ceremony which also involved the wedding of the daughter of the former governor of the State, Khadija Mohammed, witnessed the coming together of political big wigs that included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.
However, no sooner had the occasion commenced that tension rose and temper flared as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Tuggar allegedly made some scathing remarks about the Bauchi State Governor which the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Auwal Jatau considered in appropriate and unbecoming of Amb Tuggar in his constant criticism of Governor Bala Mohammed.
It was gathered that it got to a point in which the Bauchi State Deputy Governor could no longer stomach the attacks by Tuggar thus, let loose his temper and gave the minister a slap that got him devastated and visibly confused.
An eyewitness at the event told Forefront News that the development was quite unexpected and took most people by surprise.
The source said that but, for the quick intervention of Vice President Shettima, the situation may had degenerated beyond control thereby worsen the political atmosphere in the state considered to be tensed.
The altercation is believed to be part of the political difference between Governor Bala Mohammed and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb Tuggar, who is known to be an ardent critic of the Bauchi State government.
Tuggar had accused Governor Mohammed of using discussions on the national tax reform bills to pursue his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Tuggar had specifically accused Governor Mohammed of lacking honesty and using federal reforms for personal political gain. But, the governor’s camp had hit back at Tuggar, saying that he was pursuing a divide and rule tactics in the State just to curry undue favours from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as pursuing his governorship ambition ahead of 2027.
The Chief of Staff to Governor Mohammed pointedly said that Amb Tuggar has failed to make any significant mark as a minister, adding that his actions had weakened Nigeria’s presence in African diplomacy.
Both the Bauchi State government and the minister’s office are yet to make or issue any statement on the unfortunate altercation which is already being discussed in the open in the State.
