Bauchi State deputy governor, Auwal Jatau, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, engaged themselves in a heated altercation that degenerated into fisticuffs on Friday.
Jatau allegedly slapped the minister in the ensuing melee.
The development occurred in a bus conveying both political office-holders to Bauchi city from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport in Bauchi State on Friday.
It was learnt that the deputy governor had waded into an initial altercation, which started with his principal, Governor Bala Mohammed, and the minister. Jatau’s involvement escalated the altercation, forcing other people onboard the vehicle to intervene to avoid escalation.
Recall that the relationship between Governor Mohammed and the Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar became soured recently following the governor’s fierce criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s policies, particularly the Tax Reform Bills, which he claimed would make the northern part of the country poorer.
Tuggar had counter-argued that the Tax Bills were objective and would not put any part of the country at a disadvantage. The duo aggressively attacked each other in an ensuing media war.
Also, in March this year, the minister boycotted Udubu, his village, where the Federal Government launched the ‘Irrigate Nigeria’, implemented under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, ostensibly to avoid meeting Governor Mohammed, who was the chief host of the event. He was billed to represent President Tinubu at the event.
Reports indicated that Vice President Kashim Shettima, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate and some Senators were also in the bus.
The Deputy Governor’s media aide, Muslim Lawal, has dismissed the claims as entirely false and baseless.
“No, no, no, how can the deputy Governor slap the Minister? I don’t think that ever happened in Bauchi because I know my principal is a responsible person.
“The number two person cannot slap a Minister or whoever person that people are talking about. We are not even aware of that. I am just hearing this from you.”
