There is a cloud of controversy in Bauchi State following an altercation between the state’s Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi on Friday.
The incident reportedly occurred during the turbaning ceremony of former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, who was honoured as Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate. The event, which also featured the wedding of Abubakar’s daughter, Khadija Mohammed, drew several high-profile attendees, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
According to eyewitness accounts, a heated exchange erupted after Tuggar allegedly made disparaging remarks about the Bala Mohammed-led administration. The Deputy Governor reportedly slapped the minister after hearing the comments.
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“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 at the scene said.
The altercation appears to stem from an ongoing political dispute between Minister Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed.
The Foreign Minister, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been a vocal critic of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government.
There are suggestions that Tuggar is positioning himself for a 2027 governorship bid in Bauchi State.
But Auwal Mohammed Jatau, Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, has denied slapping the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Speaking through Muslim Lawal, his media aide, Bauchi’s number two citizen said, “No, no, how can a deputy governor slap a minister? I don’t think such ever can happen in Bauchi because l know my principal as a responsible leader and number two citizen in Bauchi can never slap a minister or any person.”
“I am not aware about that, and I am hearing it for the first time. If there is any evidence that the deputy governor did that you can speak on that. We don’t know about it. The deputy governor cannot do that and that is our position,” Lawal said.
Crediblenewsng.com
