I Didn’t Criticise Tinubu Over Bauchi APC Primaries, Says Tuggar

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has dismissed reports that he criticised President Bola Tinubu over the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Bauchi State, describing such claims as false and a misrepresentation of his remarks.

Tuggar, in a recent interview conducted in Hausa, maintained that party members should be allowed to freely choose their candidates through credible and competitive elections.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the former minister said his comments had been wrongly interpreted.

“Our attention has been drawn to various interpretations and misrepresentations of remarks made by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a recent interview conducted in the Hausa language,” the statement said.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticise or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks.

“The minister remains a loyal supporter of the President, fully committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the success of the APC-led administration.”

According to the statement, the interview centred on concerns about internal party processes in Bauchi State and the need to uphold transparency, fairness and internal democracy.

“In this context, he expressed concern over what he described as efforts by another minister from Bauchi State, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to influence the outcome of the APC governorship process rather than allowing aspirants to test their popularity before party delegates.

“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have been given a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest,” Abdulkadir said.

The statement further noted that President Tinubu had directed all political appointees seeking elective office to resign within the stipulated timeframe and that any aspirant willing to contest was free to comply with the directive and seek the mandate of party members.

Abdulkadir said Tuggar’s concerns were driven by a desire to strengthen the APC in Bauchi State and preserve confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.

He said the former minister believes that addressing grievances and ensuring fairness would promote unity and better position the party for future success.

The statement appealed to the President and the APC leadership to consider the concerns raised by stakeholders and take steps to reinforce justice, inclusion and party cohesion.

It added that Tuggar remains steadfast in his support for President Tinubu, committed to party unity and dedicated to advancing policies that promote development, prosperity and good governance in Bauchi State and across Nigeria.(daily trust)