Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has moved to clarify his political stance following reports that suggested he had criticised President Bola Tinubu in a recent interview.
In a statement released on Sunday in Bauchi, Tuggar’s media office dismissed the claims as a misrepresentation, insisting that his comments had been taken out of context and wrongly interpreted.
Aide Denies Any Criticism of President Tinubu
According to the clarification issued by Tuggar’s spokesperson, Abdulkadir Alkassim, the former minister did not at any point direct criticism at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or his administration.
Alkassim described suggestions of dissent as “false” and a deliberate distortion of the interview, stressing that Tuggar remains firmly aligned with the President and the ruling party’s agenda.
He reiterated that the former minister continues to support the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and remains committed to the objectives of the governing All Progressives Congress.
Bauchi APC Politics at the Centre of Controversy
The clarification explained that Tuggar’s original comments in a Hausa-language interview were focused primarily on internal party matters within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State.
Rather than addressing national leadership, the remarks reportedly centred on concerns about fairness, transparency, and competitive processes in the selection of party candidates.
The statement emphasised that Tuggar had called for internal democracy, urging that party members be given the freedom to choose candidates through open and credible mechanisms.
Calls for Open Contest in Governorship Selection
Part of the discussion, according to the aide, involved alleged attempts to influence the APC governorship selection process in Bauchi State.
Tuggar was said to have argued that all aspirants should be allowed to participate in fair competition and demonstrate their popularity without interference or manipulation.
His position, the statement noted, was rooted in a belief that transparent internal elections would strengthen the party’s unity and long-term stability in the state.
Tinubu Directive and Party Discipline Referenced
The clarification also referenced President Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to resign within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that such rules apply uniformly to all aspirants.
According to the statement, Tuggar acknowledged this framework and maintained that adherence to party and presidential guidelines remains essential for orderly political participation.
Commitment to APC Unity Reaffirmed
Reinforcing his position, Tuggar’s office insisted that his comments were never intended to create division but rather to promote fairness and strengthen democratic practices within the party.
The statement concluded by reaffirming his loyalty to President Tinubu, the APC, and ongoing national policies, describing him as committed to unity, development, and good governance under the current administration.
