Ex-foreign minister Tuggar denies criticising Tinubu, pledges loyalty

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has strongly denied reports suggesting he criticized President Bola Tinubu in a recent interview. Tuggar, through his media aide Abdulkadir Alkassim, issued a statement on Sunday in Bauchi to clarify his remarks, which he claims were misrepresented and taken out of context in a Hausa-language interview.

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For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticise or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks.

"For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticise or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks," Alkassim stated. The aide emphasized that Tuggar remains a loyal supporter of the President, fully committed to the 'Renewed Hope Agenda' and the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.

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The Minister remains a loyal supporter of the President, fully committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the success of the APC-led administration.

According to the statement, Tuggar's comments in the interview primarily addressed internal processes within the APC in Bauchi State. He reportedly focused on the need for transparency and fairness in selecting candidates, advocating that party members should freely choose candidates through credible and competitive processes. Tuggar also raised concerns about alleged efforts to influence the APC governorship selection in the state, insisting that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity in open contests.

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His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest.

The statement further referenced President Tinubu’s directive for political appointees seeking elective office to resign within a stipulated timeframe, noting that interested aspirants were expected to comply. Tuggar, his aide added, maintained that his comments were intended to strengthen internal democracy within the APC and promote unity in Bauchi State. The former minister remains steadfast in his support for President Tinubu, committed to party unity and dedicated to advancing policies for development, prosperity, and good governance.

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Amb. 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.