Foreign Affairs Minister, Tuggar Dismisses Yuguda’s Allegations Of Bribery

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has rejected allegations made by former Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, describing them as baseless and defamatory.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the minister denied claims that he offered financial inducements to influence internal processes within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State.

The statement said the allegations lacked credible evidence and were aimed at misleading party members while creating unnecessary tension within the party.

It stressed that Tuggar has maintained integrity throughout his public service and has never engaged in such conduct.

According to the minister’s aide, Tuggar remains a founding member of the APC and has consistently supported the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He added that the minister has always worked to strengthen party structures through due process, consultation, and respect for internal democracy.

See Full Statement Below

Setting the Record Straight on False Claims by Former Governor Isa Yuguda

The attention of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has been drawn to statements credited to former Governor Isa Yuguda containing a series of allegations regarding the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State.

These claims are entirely baseless and unsupported by any credible evidence. In particular, the allegation that the Honourable Minister offered financial inducement to influence any party process is false, reckless, and defamatory. Such assertions appear calculated to mislead party members and the public while inflaming unnecessary tensions within the party. Ambassador Tuggar has conducted his public life with integrity and responsibility, and at no time has he engaged in such conduct.

Ambassador Tuggar is a founding member of the APC who has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the party and steadfast support for the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Throughout his political career, he has remained committed to strengthening party structures through consultation with stakeholders, adherence to due process, and respect for internal democracy. Any engagement he has had with the party’s national leadership has been undertaken through legitimate and established channels available to every member of the APC.

The present controversy must also be understood in its proper context. The issue concerns the position of APC State Secretary, which by established understanding is to be produced by Katagum Zone. Stakeholders from the zone, including legislators and party leaders, have collectively agreed that the current State Secretary should be allowed to continue in office. The allegations now being circulated stem largely from the refusal of these stakeholders to accept attempts by the former governor to unilaterally replace the officeholder with an individual of his choosing. In this regard, he remains a lone voice advancing a baseless agitation.

It is therefore ironic that the former governor now seeks to present himself as a defender of party unity. His political history is marked by repeated cross-carpeting and shifting allegiances, including his departure in 2009 from the platform and leadership of late President Muhammadu Buhari after benefiting from the support structure of the then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He subsequently pursued political ambitions under different platforms, including a foray into the Green Party of Nigeria where he contested election to the Senate, further illustrating a pattern of shifting partisan affiliations.

Contrary to his claims, he was not responsible for Ambassador Tuggar’s political emergence. During the 2007 political cycle, he in fact benefited significantly from Ambassador Tuggar’s political support base and resources, particularly within Katagum Zone, which contributed to his electoral success under the ANPP with President Buhari’s backing. Shortly thereafter, however, he abandoned that platform by decamping to the PDP government. It is also evident that Ambassador Tuggar’s subsequent decision to contest the governorship of Bauchi State against him has left a lingering resentment that appears to shape his present remarks.

For his part, Ambassador Tuggar remains fully focused on his national responsibilities as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, advancing the country’s diplomatic and economic interests in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. While he has no interest in engaging in unnecessary public exchanges, he will not allow his name or reputation to be dragged into unfounded controversies.

Members of the APC in Bauchi State deserve a politics grounded in truth, respect for party processes, and collective responsibility. The Honourable Minister therefore urges all party stakeholders to remain committed to unity and to focus on strengthening the party in Bauchi State in the collective interest of its members and supporters.

Alkasim Abdulkadir

Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy

to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar