Real reason Gov Mohammad threatened to slap me – Tinubu’s minister

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has opened up about a tense encounter with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and his deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, during Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent visit to the state.

The incident, which took place on April 19 during a convoy movement from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to the Emir of Bauchi’s palace, sparked widespread speculation after reports emerged alleging that Deputy Governor Jatau physically assaulted the minister. Jatau has since denied those allegations.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Tuggar, who is one of the prominent ministers in the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government , clarified that the friction originated not with the Deputy Governor, but with Governor Mohammed himself.

“We were traveling in a vehicle accompanying the Vice President on a visit to Bauchi State. The Vice President spoke to me, and the Governor, who was sitting beside him, interjected in a conversation that didn’t concern him,” Tuggar recounted.

“After that, he insulted my late father—my father who has been dead for over twenty years—and then went further to threaten to slap me. But I saw that if left alone there is no way he can have advantage over me, so I stood up to show him my height.

“After that, his deputy came rushing from the back of the bus, saying he too would slap me, but he couldn’t even get close to me, especially since the Vice President was in the same vehicle.”

According to the minister, security personnel on the scene were deployed from Abuja rather than Bauchi State.

“There was no physical contact between the Governor and I—he merely said he would slap me, but when he realized he couldn’t actually reach me, the matter ended there. However, the Governor’s son, who is trying to meddle in politics, went online spreading the story that Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau slapped me,” he said.

“The Deputy Governor himself later admitted the story wasn’t true and began spreading a different version that he didn’t slap me.”

Responding to claims that the feud may be tied to his rumoured gubernatorial ambition, Tuggar said his concerns stem from the governance of his home state.

“Whether I have such an ambition or not, if you look at my history, you’ll see that when it’s time to speak the truth, I do so. What’s happening directly affects my local government and our town, Udubo.”

He pointed to issues in land allocation and agricultural policy as key points of contention.

“Everyone can see how farmlands and grazing lands are being taken away from farmers and herders and handed over to companies. These companies then come in under the pretense of engaging in agriculture, taking loans in the process.

“This is disheartening, because when farmlands or grazing areas are seized from people, some end up being pushed into criminal activities.”

He questioned the effectiveness of the government’s agricultural policies, saying: “Then why hasn’t Bauchi State become a leader in grain production or cattle rearing? Instead, things seem to be going backward.”

Tuggar and Jatau both hail from the Bauchi North Senatorial District, a region that has yet to produce a state governor since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. While Tuggar has not officially declared an interest in contesting the 2027 governorship election, speculation around his political aspirations continues to grow.