JUST IN: Bauchi! Deputy Governor Slaps Tinubu’s Minister Tuggar In Public Showdown

A tense altercation reportedly occurred at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi on Friday, when the state’s Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, allegedly struck the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a heated exchange.

The incident took place during a high-profile event celebrating the turbaning of former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, as Makama Babba 1 of the Bauchi Emirate. The ceremony also coincided with the wedding of his daughter, Khadija Mohammed.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, alongside other notable figures.

Eyewitnesses say tensions flared after Minister Tuggar allegedly made disparaging remarks about Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration—comments that reportedly enraged the Deputy Governor.

“The Deputy Governor was visibly furious—it was shocking,” a witness told Daily Post. “If not for Vice President Shettima’s swift intervention, the situation could have gotten out of hand.”

The confrontation is said to be a spillover of a long-standing political rivalry between Minister Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed. Tuggar, a well-known critic of the PDP-led state government, had previously accused the governor of exploiting President Tinubu’s tax reforms to jumpstart his 2027 presidential ambition.

During a January appearance on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Tuggar stated: “Governor Bala Mohammed showed clearly that he did not have any sincerity of purpose. He used the tax bill debate to jumpstart his presidential campaign.”

In response, Aminu Gamawa, Chief of Staff to Governor Bala Mohammed, slammed Tuggar’s comments as “opportunistic and undiplomatic,” accusing the minister of seeking political favor from the Tinubu administration.

He further claimed Tuggar’s repeated attacks stem from his own ambition to run for governor in 2027, adding, “But maligning a performing governor won’t help him.”

Gamawa also criticized Tuggar’s handling of foreign affairs, alleging that his “absentee leadership” had weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, especially across Africa.

As of the time of this report, neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had released an official statement on the incident.