By Segun Adewale i in Bauchi
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has clarified his recent media remarks about the outcome of the APC Governorship primary election, saying he did not in any way attacked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister in his response to media insinuation that he attacked the President, stated that such is a baseless and unfounded allegations that exist in the figment of the imagination of the peddlers.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, SA Media
to Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, in a statement he made available to Journalists yesterday, stated that, “Our attention has been drawn to various interpretations and misrepresentations of remarks made by the former Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a recent interview conducted in the Hausa language.”
According to him,”For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticize 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.”
He explained that,”The interview focused on concerns regarding internal party processes in Bauchi State and the need to uphold transparency, fairness, and internal democracy. Ambassador Tuggar’s position remains that party members should be allowed to freely choose their candidates through credible and competitive elections.”
“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,” he added.
The Media Aide added that,”The Minister also noted that President Tinubu had directed all political appointees seeking elective offices to resign within the stipulated timeframe and maintained that any aspirant willing to contest was free to comply with that directive and seek the mandate of party members.”
He added that,”Ambassador Tuggar’s concerns are rooted in his desire to strengthen the APC in Bauchi State and preserve confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes. He believes that addressing grievances and ensuring fairness will promote unity and help position the party for future success.”
He therefore appealed to the President and the leadership of the APC to consider the concerns raised by stakeholders and take the necessary steps to reinforce justice, inclusion, and party cohesion.
Alkasim Abdulkadir concluded, “Ambassador Tuggar remains steadfast in his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, committed to party unity, and dedicated to advancing policies that promote development, prosperity, and good governance for the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria.”
