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Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has dismissed reports alleging that he criticised President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his remarks in a Hausa-language interview were misinterpreted.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Bauchi by his media aide, Abdulkadir Alkassim, Tuggar restated his loyalty to the President and expressed continued support for the administration’s policies.
Alkassim said there was no instance in which the former minister attacked or questioned the President, describing such claims as inaccurate and a distortion of his comments.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticise or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks,” Alkassim said.
He further noted that Tuggar reaffirmed his support for the President, saying he remains committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the success of the APC-led government.
According to him, Tuggar’s comments focused on internal processes within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, particularly the need for transparent and credible candidate selection.
Alkassim added that Tuggar called for a system that allows party members to freely choose candidates through fair and competitive primaries.
Tuggar also expressed concern over alleged attempts to influence the APC governorship selection process in the state, maintaining that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through open competition.
“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest,” he said.
He further noted that the comments were aimed at strengthening internal democracy within the party and promoting unity in Bauchi State.
Alkassim maintained that Tuggar remains firmly committed to the President, party unity, and policies targeted at development, prosperity, and good governance.
