I Never Criticised, Questioned Tinubu Over Bauchi APC Governorship Primary — Tuggar

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has denied reports suggesting that he criticised or questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over comments relating to the recent APC governorship primary process in Bauchi State.

Tuggar described the reports as false and a deliberate misrepresentation of his remarks, insisting that he remains a loyal supporter of President Tinubu, the Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Tuggar clarified that his recent Hausa-language interview focused exclusively on concerns regarding internal party processes in Bauchi State.

“Our attention has been drawn to various interpretations and misrepresentations of remarks made by the former Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a recent interview conducted in the Hausa language,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the interview centred on the need to uphold transparency, fairness and internal democracy within the APC.

The spokesman explained that Tuggar has consistently maintained that party members should be allowed to freely choose their candidates through credible and competitive elections.

He said that within that context, the former minister expressed concern over what he described as attempts by another Bauchi-born minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, to influence the outcome of the APC governorship process instead of allowing aspirants to test their popularity before party delegates.

“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have been given a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest,” the statement noted.

Tuggar also pointed out that President Tinubu had directed all political appointees seeking elective office to resign within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that any aspirant interested in contesting was free to comply with the directive and seek the mandate of party members.

The former minister said his concerns were motivated by a desire to strengthen the APC in Bauchi State and preserve confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.

He maintained that addressing grievances and ensuring fairness would promote unity and better position the party for future electoral success.

Tuggar further appealed to President Tinubu and the APC leadership to consider concerns raised by stakeholders and take necessary steps to reinforce justice, inclusion and party cohesion within the party.

“Ambassador Tuggar remains steadfast in his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, committed to party unity, and dedicated to advancing policies that promote development, prosperity and good governance for the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria,” the statement added.