Tuggar Dismisses Reports of Rift with Tinubu, Demands Transparency in Bauchi APC

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has clarified comments he made during a recent Hausa-language interview, dismissing claims that he criticized President BolaPRESS STATEMENT

Tuggar Clarifies Remarks, Reaffirms Loyalty to President Tinubu

Our attention has been drawn to various interpretations and misrepresentations of remarks made by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a recent interview conducted in the Hausa language.

For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticize or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks. The Minister remains a loyal supporter of the President, fully committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the success of the APC-led administration.

The interview focused on concerns regarding internal party processes in Bauchi State and the need to uphold transparency, fairness, and internal democracy. Ambassador Tuggar’s position remains that party members should be allowed to freely choose their candidates through credible and competitive elections.

In this context, he expressed concern over what he described as efforts by another minister from Bauchi State, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to influence the outcome of the APC governorship process rather than allowing aspirants to test their popularity before party delegates. His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have been given a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest.

The Minister also noted that President Tinubu had directed all political appointees seeking elective office to resign within the stipulated timeframe and maintained that any aspirant willing to contest was free to comply with that directive and seek the mandate of party members.

Ambassador Tuggar’s concerns are rooted in his desire to strengthen the APC in Bauchi State and preserve confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes. He believes that addressing grievances and ensuring fairness will promote unity and help position the party for future success.

He therefore appeals to the President and the leadership of the APC to consider the concerns raised by stakeholders and take the necessary steps to reinforce justice, inclusion, and party cohesion.

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 for the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria. Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the minister described reports suggesting that he questioned or criticized the President as false and a deliberate misrepresentation of his remarks.

According to the statement, Ambassador Tuggar remains a loyal supporter of President Tinubu and is fully committed to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as well as the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The minister explained that the interview focused primarily on concerns surrounding internal party processes in Bauchi State, particularly the need to uphold transparency, fairness and internal democracy within the APC.

He reiterated his position that party members should be allowed to freely choose their candidates through credible and competitive electoral processes.

Ambassador Tuggar expressed concern over what he described as attempts by another Bauchi State minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, to influence the APC governorship selection process rather than allowing aspirants to test their popularity before party delegates.

He maintained that all interested aspirants should have been given an equal opportunity to participate in an open and transparent contest.

The minister further noted that President Tinubu had directed all political appointees seeking elective positions to resign within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that any aspirant interested in contesting was free to comply with the directive and seek the mandate of party members.

According to the statement, Tuggar’s concerns are motivated by a desire to strengthen the APC in Bauchi State and preserve confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes. He argued that addressing grievances and ensuring fairness would promote unity and improve the party’s prospects in future elections.

The minister also appealed to the President and the APC leadership to consider concerns raised by stakeholders and take necessary measures to reinforce justice, inclusion and cohesion within the party.

He reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Tinubu, commitment to party unity, and dedication to advancing policies that promote development, prosperity and good governance for the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria.