The political rivalry between Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has escalated.
This played out in Bauchi on Friday when Deputy Governor Mohammed Auwal Jatau and Tuggar exchanged altercations during Vice President Kashim Shettima’s visit to the state. Reports alleged that Jatau slapped Tuggar following a heated exchange over alleged disparaging remarks made by the minister against Governor Bala Mohammed.
Although Jatau has since denied the incident, it underscores the depth of political animosity between the governor and the minister.
Sources said the confrontation happened inside a coaster bus transporting the vice president and other dignitaries from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to the Emir’s Palace for the turbaning ceremony of former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar as Makama Babba I of the Bauchi Emirate.
Eyewitnesses said the confrontation began when Tuggar allegedly made unflattering remarks about Governor Bala’s administration. The deputy governor, visibly angered, reportedly confronted the minister.
Political observers view the fracas as a manifestation of the long-standing feud between Governor Bala and Minister Tuggar. The minister, a vocal critic of the PDP-led administration in Bauchi, had repeatedly accused the governor of harboring ulterior motives, particularly regarding the 2027 presidential race.
In January, Tuggar publicly criticized the governor during a live interview on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, alleging that Bala was using President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms to launch his 2027 presidential ambition.
Responding to the minister’s comments, Governor Bala’s Chief of Staff, Alhaji Aminu Gamawa, dismissed them as “opportunistic and undiplomatic,” accusing Tuggar of seeking favor with the Tinubu-led government while undermining a “performing governor.”
The reported incident has drawn criticism from political analysts, who fear the feud could further polarize politics in the state.
In a swift rebuttal, Muslim Lawal, spokesperson for the deputy governor, denied that any physical confrontation took place, calling the allegation baseless.
