Tensions Erupt: ‘Was I Behind The Coup?’ Bauchi Governor Takes A Stand Against Foreign Affairs Minister

Tensions Erupt: ‘Was I Behind The Coup?’ Bauchi Governor Takes A Stand Against Foreign Affairs Minister

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, have engaged in a public dispute, accusing each other of inefficiency in their…Tensions Erupt: ‘Was I Behind The Coup?’ Bauchi Governor Takes A Stand Against Foreign Affairs Minister

respective roles.

During an interview with BBC Hausa, Governor Mohammed criticized Tuggar’s management of Nigeria’s foreign affairs, particularly regarding the federal government’s response to military coups in neighboring countries and delays in ambassadorial appointments.

“It’s unfortunate that the minister is one of our own,” Mohammed remarked, urging Tuggar to address these lapses before criticizing others.

The governor also voiced his dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration, particularly over the proposed tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.

In a swift response, also in a BBC Hausa interview, Tuggar accused Governor Mohammed of mismanaging Bauchi State’s resources. He alleged that the governor allocated plots of land to allies, family members, and close associates.

“Bauchi State received ₦8.8 billion in October and ₦9 billion in November, yet there’s nothing on the ground to justify these funds,” Tuggar claimed, also criticizing the governor’s land allocation program.

Addressing the coup criticism, Tuggar clarified that the military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger occurred before his tenure as minister and before Tinubu’s presidency.

“How can I be blamed for events that happened before my time? Was I the one who engineered the coups?” he retorted.

Governor Mohammed denied the allegations of mismanagement, maintaining that his administration’s achievements are visible and verifiable. He suggested Tuggar’s accusations were an attempt to deflect criticism from the federal government’s shortcomings.

“He is doing this to shield his principal because we have criticized the federal government’s handling of national affairs. His allegations are baseless,” Mohammed said.

The clash has fueled speculation about Tuggar’s potential bid for the Bauchi State governorship in 2027. Speaking through his foundation’s Director General, Bello Mohammed Tukura, Tuggar hinted at his readiness to contest if his political base mobilizes sufficient support.

“If you are ready, I am very much ready,” Tuggar reportedly told his coordinators in Bauchi’s 20 local government areas, emphasizing the importance of grassroots backing.