Deputy Gov slaps Foreign Minister in the presence of Shettima, over comment about governance
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Vice President Kashim Shettima had to play peace maker on Friday when Bauchi Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau reportedly became aggrieved and slapped Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar at a public function in the Bauchi emir’s palace.
Tuggar was too shell-shocked at the unexpected turn of events to bother to fight back.
Jatau’s fury has allegedly simmered over time on suspicion of Tuggar’s quest for Bauchi governorship, which allegedly propels him to constantly criticise the administration of incumbent Bala Mohammed.
The altercation occurred at the turbaning of former Bauchi Governor Mohammed Abubakar as Makama Babba I of Bauchi Emirate, which coincided with the wedding of his daughter Khadija Mohammed.
Shettima and Gombe Governor Muhammadu Yahaya were among other top political figures who attended the high profile event.
Eyewitnesses said the clash ensued after Tuggar reportedly made disparaging comments about the Mohammed administration which Jatau found offensive.
“The Deputy Governor was visibly furious. It was a shocking moment. If not for Vice President Shettima’s swift intervention, it could have escalated badly,” a source told Daily Trust.
The physical abuse is believed to be a continuation of the long-standing political rift between Tuggar and Mohammed. Tuggar is a staunch critic of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state.
Tuggar had earlier accused Mohammed of using President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms to kickstart his 2027 presidential ambition.
He alleged on Channels Television in January that “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.”
Mohammed’s Chief of Staff Aminu Gamawa described Tuggar’s comment as “opportunistic and undiplomatic,” accusing him of seeking to curry favour with the Tinubu administration for his own governorship ambition.
“Tuggar’s ambition to run for Governor in 2027 is the real reason behind these constant attacks. But maligning a performing Governor won’t help him,” Gamawa declared.
He said Tuggar’s alleged “absentee politics” and poor performance in foreign affairs has diminished Nigeria’s diplomatic strength, especially in Africa.
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