Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has recounted a tense and emotionally charged confrontation with Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, alleging personal insults and a threat of physical assault during Vice President Kashim Shettima’s visit to the state on April 19, 2025.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa Service which was monitored by Truth Live News on Thursday, Tuggar said the incident unfolded inside a bus where he, the Vice President, and Governor Mohammed were seated. According to the Minister, a discussion between himself and Vice President Shettima was unexpectedly interrupted when Governor Mohammed allegedly began hurling insults, including derogatory remarks about Tuggar’s late father.
“He insulted my father, who passed away over 20 years ago, and even threatened to slap me,” Tuggar recounted. “But I stood up, and he seemed intimidated by my height. How could he even think of raising his hands to do that?”
The Minister disclosed that the situation escalated briefly as the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, seated behind him, attempted to intervene. However, he was restrained by security personnel, and the presence of Vice President Shettima helped to de-escalate the confrontation.
Following the incident, social media buzzed with reports alleging that Tuggar had been slapped by the Deputy Governor. Tuggar dismissed these claims, attributing the rumor to individuals close to Governor Mohammed, though he acknowledged that the Bauchi State Government later issued a denial.
Addressing speculation that the clash stemmed from political rivalry—especially rumors surrounding his alleged interest in contesting for governor in 2027—Tuggar waved off the claims.
“This is not about political ambition. I simply believe in speaking the truth,” he said.
Tuggar went further to criticize the land management practices of the Bauchi State Government. He alleged that state-owned farmlands and grazing reserves, including in his own community, were being handed over to private companies under opaque arrangements.
“These companies claim they want to invest and seek loans, but in the end, farmers are losing their lands and herders their grazing spaces. It’s fueling desperation in rural communities,” he stated.
He challenged the impact of such investments on the state’s economy, questioning:
“If these allocations are truly beneficial, why hasn’t Bauchi outpaced other states in grain or livestock production? Instead, livelihoods are being destroyed.”
Neither Governor Bala Mohammed nor the Bauchi State Government has officially responded to Tuggar’s fresh allegations as of press time.