State deputy governor reportedly slaps Tinubu’s minister

A clash between Bauchi State Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar caused a stir on Friday during a ceremony at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi.

According to Daily Post, the incident happened at a traditional event where former Bauchi Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar was being honoured with a chieftaincy title, Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate.

The ceremony also included the wedding of the former governor’s daughter, Khadija Mohammed.

Many top politicians were in attendance, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

Tensions rose when Minister Tuggar reportedly made remarks that appeared to criticize the Bala Mohammed administration in Bauchi State.

The comments did not sit well with Deputy Governor Jatau, who became angry and allegedly slapped the minister in front of the dignitaries present.

Eyewitnesses described the moment as unexpected and said the intervention of Vice President Shettima helped prevent the situation from worsening.

The confrontation is said to be part of an ongoing dispute between the minister and Governor Bala Mohammed.

Tuggar, known for his opposition to the current state government, had in the past accused Governor Mohammed of using national tax reform discussions to pursue his own political ambitions ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

Earlier in the year, Tuggar criticised the governor on a television programme, accusing him of lacking honesty and using federal reforms for personal political gain.

In response, the governor’s camp dismissed the accusations, calling them politically driven.

The Chief of Staff to the governor, Aminu Gamawa, had accused Tuggar of trying to gain favour from President Bola Tinubu’s government and pushing his own plans to run for governor in 2027.

Gamawa also claimed that Tuggar had not been effective in his role as a minister and that his actions had weakened Nigeria’s presence in African diplomacy.

As of now, both the Bauchi State Government and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs have remained silent, with no official statements released regarding the incident.