Tuggar denies criticising Tinubu over Bauchi APC primaries

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs has dismissed reports alleging that he criticised President Bola Tinubu over the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Bauchi State, describing the claims as false and a distortion of his remarks.

Tuggar, speaking in a Hausa-language interview, clarified that his comments were not directed at the President but were instead focused on the need for transparent, competitive and credible party primaries that allow members to freely choose candidates.

Tuggar had resigned as minister to contest Bauchi State governorship primary on the platform of the APC, following a directive by President Tinubu that all political appointees willing to contest the 2027 election should resign. But he didn’t get the party’s ticket.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir on Sunday, Tuggar said the interpretation that he attacked or questioned Tinubu was inaccurate and misleading.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticise or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks,” the statement said.

He said his remarks were strictly about internal party dynamics in Bauchi State, particularly concerns over alleged attempts by some political actors to influence the outcome of the governorship primaries instead of allowing open competition.

Tuggar also called for unity within the party, urging leaders to address internal grievances in order to strengthen confidence in the APC’s internal democracy in Bauchi State.