Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and expressed continued support for the policies and programmes of the current administration.
Tuggar made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday in Bauchi through his media aide, Abdulkadir Alkassim, following reports that suggested he had criticised the President during a recent interview.
According to the statement, Tuggar’s comments in a Hausa-language interview were misrepresented and wrongly interpreted by some observers.
“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.
The statement stressed that Tuggar remains fully committed to the administration’s agenda and continues to support the leadership of President Tinubu.
“The Minister remains a loyal supporter of the President, fully committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the success of the APC-led administration,” Alkassim added.
The clarification came amid growing speculation over comments made by Tuggar during discussions about political developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State.
According to the statement, the minister’s remarks focused solely on internal party matters, particularly the need for transparency, fairness and inclusiveness in the process of selecting candidates for elective positions.
Tuggar reportedly advocated a system that allows party members to freely choose candidates through credible and competitive democratic processes.
The statement noted that he raised concerns over alleged attempts to influence the APC governorship selection process in Bauchi State.
However, it emphasised that his position was based on the principle of ensuring equal opportunities for all aspirants interested in contesting for political offices.
“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest,” Alkassim explained.
The statement also referenced President Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to resign within the stipulated timeframe before pursuing their ambitions.
According to Tuggar’s aide, the minister’s comments aligned with the President’s position on due process and compliance with party guidelines.
He maintained that the remarks were intended to strengthen internal democracy within the APC and promote unity among party members in Bauchi State.
The statement further reiterated Tuggar’s commitment to fostering cooperation within the ruling party and supporting initiatives that advance development across the country.
“Amb. 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,” the statement added.
The clarification is expected to put to rest speculation surrounding the interview and reaffirm Tuggar’s position within the APC-led administration.
