Drama as Bauchi Deputy Gov slaps Foreign Affairs minister
A mild drama occurred at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi on Friday, when Auwal Jatau, the state’s deputy governor, allegedly slapped the minister of foreign affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a heated altercation.
The incident happened during the turbaning of Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, former Bauchi State Governor, as Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate, which coincided with the wedding of his daughter, Khadija Mohammed.
The high-profile event was attended by top political figures, including Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe State Governor, among others.
According to eyewitnesses, the clash ensued after the Foreign Minister reportedly made disparaging comments about the Bala Mohammed-led administration, comments the deputy governor allegedly found offensive.
“The Deputy Governor was visibly furious. It was a shocking moment. If not for Vice President Shettima’s swift intervention, it could have escalated badly,” a source told our correspondent.
The altercation is believed to be a continuation of the long-standing political rift between Minister Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed. Tuggar, a staunch critic of the PDP-led government in the state.
Tuggar had earlier accused the governor of using President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms to kickstart his 2027 presidential ambition.
In January, while appearing on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Tuggar had said, “Governor Bala Mohammed showed clearly that he did not have any sincerity of purpose. He used the tax bill debate to jumpstart his presidential campaign.”
In his reaction, Aminu Gamawa, the governor’s chief of staff, described the minister’s comments as “opportunistic and undiplomatic,” accusing him of seeking to curry favours from the Tinubu administration.
“Tuggar’s ambition to run for governor in 2027 is the real reason behind these constant attacks. But maligning a performing governor won’t help him,” Gamawa said.
He added that the minister’s alleged “absentee politics” and poor performance in foreign affairs had diminished Nigeria’s diplomatic strength, especially in Africa.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued an official statement on the matter.
