“Jabs Fly Between Bauchi Governor and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar Amidst Tax Policy Criticism”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has come under heavy criticism following his attack on Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, over the latter’s stance on Nigeria’s tax reform policy. The scathing remarks from Tuggar have been labeled as undiplomatic and opportunistic by the Chief of Staff to Governor Mohammed, Dr. Aminu Hassan Gamawa.
In a statement issued on behalf of the governor, Dr. Gamawa accused Tuggar of attempting to curry favor with his political backers while neglecting his responsibilities as Foreign Minister. The statement further pointed out that, rather than focusing on his duties in the foreign ministry, Tuggar had resorted to personal attacks on a governor whose agricultural policies have significantly transformed Bauchi State.
Governor Mohammed’s leadership has been credited with creating thousands of jobs, particularly through the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP), which empowers local farmers and youth with skills in various agricultural sectors such as fish farming, animal husbandry, and cash crop production.
Dr. Gamawa suggested that if Tuggar had spent more time in Bauchi State instead of focusing on foreign capitals, he would have seen firsthand the progress made under Governor Mohammed’s leadership. He also criticized Tuggar for his failure to engage with the grassroots and his poor performance in the state during the 2023 election, which President Bola Tinubu did not win in Bauchi.
The Chief of Staff also highlighted a series of diplomatic missteps under Tuggar’s tenure, including Nigeria’s declining influence within ECOWAS. The statement claimed that Tuggar’s poor handling of the crises in the Sahel led to the withdrawal of key member states like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, signaling a historic failure in Nigeria’s leadership in the region.
Additionally, the statement pointed to diplomatic setbacks such as the embarrassing visa ban imposed by the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria’s shift from its historically Afrocentric foreign policy to aligning with French interests in Africa. This, the statement argued, had alienated countries opposing French neocolonialism.
In response to Tuggar’s attack on Governor Mohammed regarding land use in Bauchi, Dr. Gamawa defended the Tiamin Rice Project, noting its positive impact on job creation for Bauchi indigenes. He also criticized Tuggar for failing to recognize the economic realities faced by states due to inflation, the new minimum wage, and ineffective federal macroeconomic policies. Governor Mohammed’s prudent financial management, he emphasized, had earned him national recognition, including awards for rural road infrastructure and urban renewal.
The statement concluded with a suggestion that Tuggar’s constant criticism of Governor Mohammed, possibly aimed at positioning himself for a 2027 Bauchi governorship run, would ultimately fail. It argued that the people of Bauchi had witnessed the governor’s transformative leadership and would not be swayed by attacks from an absentee politician.
In closing, the statement urged Tuggar to focus on addressing Nigeria’s pressing diplomatic challenges, rather than engaging in baseless attacks on Governor Mohammed, whose principled stance on national issues, including his criticism of the tax reform bills, reflects his commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.
