David Arin, Jos
DAILY COURIER - The Bauchi State Government has launched a scathing attack on Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, following his recent criticism of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed. The governor’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Aminu Hassan Gamawa, issued a strongly worded statement on behalf of the state government, describing Tuggar’s remarks as “undiplomatic, opportunistic, and politically motivated.”
The controversy stems from Governor Mohammed’s critique of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform policy, which Tuggar reportedly condemned. In response, the Bauchi State Government accused the minister of neglecting his duties and attempting to gain political favour by attacking a governor whose administration has brought significant development to the state.
The statement from the governor’s office dismissed Tuggar’s criticism as a desperate attempt to tarnish Governor Mohammed’s reputation while ignoring his own failings as Minister of Foreign Affairs. It highlighted the governor’s achievements in transforming Bauchi State into an economic hub through initiatives like the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP), which has empowered thousands of local farmers and youth with skills in fish farming, animal husbandry, and cash crop production.
“Ironically, Tuggar, a man from Bauchi State, remains blissfully ignorant of these realities. If he had spent more time in his home state instead of gallivanting across foreign capitals, he would have seen firsthand the transformation Bala Mohammed has brought to Bauchi,” the statement read.
The statement further accused Tuggar of being detached from the grassroots, pointing out that his local government did not support President Tinubu in the last election. It described the minister as “irrelevant” to the people he claims to represent.
The Bauchi State Government did not stop at defending Governor Mohammed; it also took aim at Tuggar’s performance as Minister of Foreign Affairs, accusing him of mismanagement and incompetence. The statement claimed that Nigeria’s international standing has significantly declined under Tuggar’s leadership, citing the disintegration of ECOWAS as a prime example.
“Under Tuggar’s mismanagement, ECOWAS, a once united and robust sub-regional body, is now in disarray. His poor advice to President Tinubu on the crises in the Sahel has led to the withdrawal of key member states like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This is a historic failure, unprecedented in the history of Nigeria’s leadership in West Africa,” the statement noted.
The statement also highlighted the deterioration of Nigeria’s relationships with its Sahelian neighbours, worsening security challenges along the 1,600-kilometre border, and the collapse of the Joint Multinational Anti-Terrorism Taskforce. It further criticized Tuggar for failing to resolve the visa ban imposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), describing it as an “embarrassing” diplomatic setback.
The Bauchi State Government accused Tuggar of abandoning Nigeria’s historically Afrocentric foreign policy in favour of French hegemony in Africa. It claimed that this shift has alienated nations fighting against French neocolonial dominance and positioned Nigeria as a willing accomplice to France’s imperial ambitions.
“Tuggar has dragged Nigeria into the orbit of French hegemony in Africa, abandoning the country’s historically Afrocentric foreign policy. This shift has alienated nations fighting against French neocolonial dominance and has positioned Nigeria as a willing accomplice to France’s imperial ambitions,” the statement read.
The statement vehemently defended Governor Mohammed’s record, particularly his agricultural policies, which have created thousands of jobs in Bauchi State. It cited the Tiamin Rice Project, a large-scale agricultural initiative, as an example of the governor’s commitment to economic development.
“Tuggar’s allegations against Governor Mohammed regarding land use in Bauchi State were nothing more than a smear campaign. The Tiamin Rice Project has provided direct and indirect jobs to thousands of Bauchi indigenes,” the statement noted.
It also dismissed Tuggar’s insinuations about increased federal allocations to Bauchi State, attributing the financial challenges faced by states to inflation, the new minimum wage, and the federal government’s poorly executed macroeconomic policies. The statement praised Governor Mohammed for his prudent use of resources, which has earned him national accolades, including the “Rural Road Infrastructure Governor of the Year 2022” and the “Urban Renewal Governor of the Year 2024.”
The Bauchi State Government suggested that Tuggar’s criticism of Governor Mohammed is motivated by his ambition to contest the Bauchi governorship in 2027. However, it warned that his strategy of maligning the governor would backfire.
“Tuggar’s attacks on Bala Mohammed are clearly motivated by his ambition to contest the Bauchi governorship in 2027. However, his strategy of maligning the Governor will backfire. The people of Bauchi have witnessed Bala Mohammed’s transformative leadership and will not be swayed by the baseless rhetoric of an absentee politician,” the statement concluded.
The statement urged Tuggar to focus on redeeming his lacklustre performance as Minister of Foreign Affairs rather than engaging in political attacks. It criticized his alleged incompetence and irrelevance, noting that President Tinubu’s frequent avoidance of Tuggar during foreign trips speaks volumes about the minister’s redundancy.
“Tuggar’s tenure as Foreign Affairs Minister has been defined by inertia, incompetence, and irrelevance. President Tinubu’s frequent avoidance of Tuggar during foreign trips speaks volumes about the minister’s redundancy,” the statement added.
The Bauchi State Government’s robust defense of Governor Mohammed and its scathing critique of Minister Tuggar underscore the deepening political tensions between the two figures. As Tuggar faces accusations of diplomatic failures and political opportunism, the statement reaffirms Governor Mohammed’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and his transformative leadership in Bauchi State.
The controversy also highlights the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s foreign policy and the growing discontent with the Tinubu administration’s economic and diplomatic strategies. With the 2027 governorship race already looming on the horizon, the political landscape in Bauchi State and beyond is set to become increasingly contentious.
