Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has opened up about a tense encounter with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed during Vice President Kashim Shettima’s visit to the state on April 19, 2025.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service monitored by First News on Thursday, May 15, Tuggar claimed the governor verbally attacked his late father while they were in a bus with the Vice President.
“He insulted my father, who passed away over 20 years ago, and even threatened to slap me,” Tuggar said. “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 explained that the Deputy Governor, who was seated behind him, tried to step in during the confrontation. However, security personnel and the Vice President’s presence kept the situation from escalating.
Tuggar said rumours later surfaced online alleging that the Deputy Governor had slapped him , a claim he believes was planted by someone close to the governor. The Bauchi State government later denied any such altercation took place.
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When asked if the clash had anything to do with political ambitions, particularly speculation about him running for Bauchi governor, Tuggar rejected the suggestion.
“I’m not driven by politics,” he said. “I speak the truth because it must be told.”
The Minister also criticised the state government’s land policies. He accused authorities of handing over farmlands and grazing areas, including parts of his community, to private firms under questionable arrangements.
“These companies come under the guise of seeking loans, claiming they want to farm and invest. But the reality is that farmers are losing their lands, and herders are losing their grazing areas. This is pushing some of them into desperate situations,” Tuggar alleged.
He questioned the impact of such investments, saying: “If giving state lands to companies for investments is truly beneficial, then why haven’t we seen Bauchi State producing more grains or livestock than any other state? Instead, things are getting worse.”