A heated incident unfolded at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi on Friday when the state’s Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, reportedly slapped the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a confrontation.
The altercation occurred during the turbaning of former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, as the Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate, which coincided with the wedding of his daughter, Khadija Mohammed.
The event, which was attended by prominent figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, took a dramatic turn when the Foreign Minister allegedly made critical remarks about the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed.
Eyewitnesses said the Deputy Governor became visibly angry at the comments, leading to a brief but intense clash.
A source close to the incident stated, “The Deputy Governor was very upset. It was a shocking moment, and without Vice President Shettima’s timely intervention, the situation could have escalated further.”
The confrontation is believed to stem from a long-standing political rivalry between Minister Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed, with Tuggar frequently critical of the PDP-led government in the state.
Tuggar had previously accused the governor of using President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms to further his own 2027 presidential aspirations.
In a January appearance on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Tuggar stated, “Governor Bala Mohammed clearly lacked sincerity and used the tax bill debate to launch his presidential campaign.”
In response, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Aminu Gamawa, called Tuggar’s comments “opportunistic and undiplomatic,” suggesting the Minister was attempting to gain favor with the Tinubu administration.
He further remarked that Tuggar’s alleged political ambitions for the 2027 governorship race were behind his attacks on the governor, noting that criticizing a capable governor would not advance his cause.
Gamawa also criticized the Minister’s performance in foreign affairs, alleging that his “absentee politics” had weakened Nigeria’s diplomatic standing, particularly in Africa.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had released an official statement regarding the incident.