Tuggar Denies Offering Bribe To Influence Bauchi APC Congress

The minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has dismissed claims by a former governor of Bauchi State, Dr Isa Yuguda, that he offered financial inducement to influence party processes during the All Progressives Congress(APC) congresses in Bauchi State.

Yuguda alleged that Tuggar offered bribe of $150,000 to influence the outcome and report of the delegation from the party’s National Secretariat against the wishes and decision of APC members in the state even after a consensus had been secured on the election of party leaders during the state and local government congresses.

But the minister in a statement by his special assistant on media and communications strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, described the allegations as false and reckless.

He said these claims were entirely baseless and unsupported by any credible evidence, adding that such assertions appear calculated to mislead party members and the public while inflaming unnecessary tensions within the party.

“Ambassador Tuggar has conducted his public life with integrity and responsibility, and at no time has he engaged in such conduct. Ambassador Tuggar is a founding member of the APC who has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the party and steadfast support for the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Throughout his political career, he has remained committed to strengthening party structures through consultation with stakeholders, adherence to due process, and respect for internal democracy.

“Any engagement he has had with the party’s national leadership has been undertaken through legitimate and established channels available to every member of the APC,” the statement reads in parts.

According to the statement, the issue concerns the position of APC State Secretary, which by established understanding was to be produced by Katagum Zone and stakeholders there, including legislators and party leaders had collectively agreed that the current State Secretary be allowed to continue in office.

It said the allegations now being circulated stemmed largely from the refusal of these stakeholders to accept attempts by the former governor to unilaterally replace the office holder with his own candidate.

“In this regard, he remains a lone voice advancing a baseless agitation. It is therefore ironic that the former governor now seeks to present himself as a defender of party unity.

“His political history is marked by repeated cross-carpeting and shifting allegiances, including his departure in 2009 from the platform and leadership of late President Muhammadu Buhari after benefiting from the support structure of the then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

“He subsequently pursued political ambitions under different platforms, including a foray into the Green Party of Nigeria where he contested election to the Senate, further illustrating a pattern of shifting partisan affiliations, the statement added.

It noted that contrary to Yuguda’s claims, he was not responsible for Tuggar’s political emergence, saying during the 2007 political cycle, the former governor rather benefited significantly from the present minister’s political support base and resources, particularly within Katagum Zone, which contributed to his electoral success under the ANPP with President Buhari’s backing.

“Shortly thereafter, however, he abandoned that platform by decamping to the PDP government. It is also evident that Ambassador Tuggar’s subsequent decision to contest the governorship of Bauchi State against him has left a lingering resentment that appears to shape his present remarks.

“For his part, Ambassador Tuggar remains fully focused on his national responsibilities as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, advancing the country’s diplomatic and economic interests in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. While he has no interest in engaging in unnecessary public exchanges, he will not allow his name or reputation to be dragged into unfounded controversies.

“Members of the APC in Bauchi State deserve a politics grounded in truth, respect for party processes, and collective responsibility. The Honourable Minister therefore urges all party stakeholders to remain committed to unity and to focus on strengthening the party in Bauchi State in the collective interest of its members and supporters,”the statement reads further.