In an interview with the BBC Hausa, Tuggar said the incident started inside the Vice President’s bus when Governor Bala interrupted a conversation he was having with Vice President, Shettima.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has given his own account of the altercation between him and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, during the Vice President, Kashim Shettima’s visit to Bauchi on Friday, April 19.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa, Tuggar said the incident started inside the Vice President’s bus when Governor Bala interrupted a conversation he was having with Vice President, Shettima.
“We were in the vehicle accompanying the Vice President on his visit to Bauchi. The Vice President spoke to me, and the Governor, who was sitting beside him, interrupted — even though he wasn’t being addressed,” he said.
Tuggar added that the situation escalated quickly. “After that, he insulted my father—who died over 20 years ago — and then got up, saying he would slap me. I stood up too to show him my height because if left unchecked, I don’t see how he could hit or slap me.”
He said the Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, then joined in. “Then his Deputy came running from the back of the bus claiming he too would slap me. But he didn’t even get close, probably because the Vice President was in the vehicle.”
Tuggar insisted there was no physical contact and said security officers at the scene were from Abuja. “There was no physical contact. The Governor only said he would slap me, and even he must have realised it wasn’t feasible.
But his son, who is trying to meddle in politics, took the story online claiming the Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, slapped me.”
“The Deputy Governor himself, seeing the story wasn’t gaining traction, changed the narrative, saying he never slapped me,” he added.
Reacting to speculation that his political ambition may be responsible for the clash, Tuggar said: “Whether I have ambition or not, if you look at my record, you’ll know I speak the truth when necessary. This issue affects my local government and our town, Udubo.”
He said the rift was connected to governance in Bauchi State. “Everyone knows how farmlands and grazing areas are being taken from farmers and herders and handed over to companies. These companies borrow money in the name of farming, but it’s all a facade.”
Tuggar warned that the land seizures may have dangerous consequences. “If these lands are being taken for development, then why hasn’t Bauchi become the top state in grain or cattle production? Instead, we are moving backwards.”
As of the time of the report, the Bauchi State government had not responded to the Minister’s claims despite efforts to get a reaction.
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