Minister Tuggar: Gov Bala Mohammed Insulted My Late Father, Threatened to Slap Me
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has accused Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, of insulting his late father and threatening to slap him during a recent public engagement in the state.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Tuggar opened up about his strained relationship with the governor, revealing that tensions came to a head during Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s visit to Bauchi on April 19.
Tuggar, who was part of the VP’s entourage, said the incident happened while they were on a bus from the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to the Emir of Bauchi’s palace.
According to reports that emerged afterward, there were claims that Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, slapped the minister during the trip. Jatau has since denied those allegations.
However, Tuggar laid the blame squarely on Governor Bala Mohammed, saying it was the governor who first provoked him by interrupting a conversation he was having with the Vice-President.
“He started it,” the minister said. “He insulted my late father — who died over 20 years ago — and even threatened to slap me. I didn’t think he could actually hit me, so I stood up and tried to stop him.”
Tuggar added that after the governor’s outburst, his deputy joined in.
“Suddenly, his deputy came charging from the back of the bus, saying he too would slap me. But he couldn’t even get close because the Vice-President was there.”
The minister, a vocal critic of Bala Mohammed’s administration, is rumored to be considering a run for the Bauchi governorship — a contest that could potentially pit him against Jatau, who is also said to be eyeing the top seat in 2027. Both men are from Bauchi North, a zone yet to produce a governor since 1999.
When asked about his political ambitions, Tuggar said: “Whether or not I have political plans, I’ve always spoken the truth when needed. People know the truth about what’s happening in Bauchi.”
He criticized the state government for allegedly handing over farmlands and grazing areas to private companies under the guise of agricultural investment, warning that such actions are fueling insecurity.
“Farmers and herders are being deprived of their lands, and these companies take loans claiming they’ll invest. If that’s really helping, why isn’t Bauchi producing more grains or cattle than any other state? Things are only getting worse,” Tuggar said.
The post Minister Tuggar: Gov Bala Mohammed Insulted My Late Father, Threatened to Slap Me appeared first on Kano Times.
