Tuggar Denies Criticising Tinubu, Reaffirms Loyalty Amid Bauchi APC Governorship Dispute

Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has strongly refuted claims that he criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that his recent remarks were taken out of context and misrepresented. Tuggar issued a statement on Sunday to quell speculation of a rift, reaffirming his steadfast loyalty to Tinubu and his commitment to the administration’s 'Renewed Hope Agenda.'

The clarification follows widespread reactions to a Hausa-language interview where Tuggar discussed internal political developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State. Portions of the interview, circulated on social media, were interpreted by some as criticism of the president, a notion the minister has categorically rejected.

"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 statement read. Tuggar explained that his comments addressed concerns about internal party democracy and candidate selection processes within the APC in Bauchi State, where political maneuvering for the 2027 governorship election is intensifying.

The core of the disagreement appears to be over the APC's governorship nomination process in the state. Tuggar expressed reservations about alleged attempts by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate to influence the selection of the APC's governorship candidate, arguing that aspirants should be allowed to demonstrate their popularity through open contests before party delegates. He stressed that the APC's strength relies on transparent, competitive internal elections that empower members to choose their preferred candidates, ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants without undue interference.

Tuggar also referenced President Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to resign within a specified period, stating that any interested individual is free to comply and pursue their ambitions through established party procedures. He emphasized that his intervention aimed to strengthen, not divide, the APC, warning against unresolved grievances and perceptions of unfairness.

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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.