Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has dismissed allegations by former Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, over the conduct of the All Progressives Congress, APC, congresses in the state, describing the claims as “entirely false and lacking credible evidence.”
In a statement issued by Tuggar’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdukadir, the former minister denied fuelling disaffection within the Bauchi APC or attempting to undermine Yuguda. “Tuggar said he remains fully focused on his national duties, advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic interests in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement read. Tuggar added that he has no interest in engaging in unnecessary public disputes and will not allow his name or reputation to be dragged into unfounded controversies.
Yuguda had earlier alleged that a petition submitted by Tuggar to the party’s National Working Committee was aimed at maligning his character and credibility. He accused Tuggar of fuelling disaffection within the APC in pursuit of his alleged governorship ambition. In a statement signed by Dapo Okubanjo on behalf of Yuguda’s media office, the former governor further accused Tuggar of attempting to undermine him despite being his political beneficiary during their time in the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP.
Yuguda also alleged that Tuggar offered a bribe of $150,000 to influence the outcome and report of the delegation from the party’s National Secretariat against the wishes and decision of APC members in the state even after a consensus had been secured on the election of party leaders during the state and local government congresses.
Tuggar described the bribery claim as “false, reckless and defamatory,” adding that such assertions were intended to mislead party members and create unnecessary tension. “Ambassador Tuggar has conducted his public life with integrity and responsibility, and at no time has he engaged in such conduct,” Abdukadir stated.
The statement noted that Tuggar is a founding member of the APC who has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the party and steadfast support for the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Any engagement he has had with the party’s national leadership has been undertaken through legitimate and established channels available to every member of the APC,” it added.
On the Bauchi 2027 governorship race, Tuggar said he is open to either consensus or direct primaries, provided the process remains transparent and democratic. “I hope that the process will be free and fair. And I hope, regardless of what the party chooses, whether direct or consensus, as long as the process is free and fair,” he said. He added that the ultimate goal is to ensure that credible candidates emerge: “It is to ensure that we put forward people with credibility as candidates, people who command respect and genuine followership”.
