Bauchi: Minister of foreign affairs, Tuggar didn’t give bribe of  $150,000 to APC members – Group insists 

By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi 

The Chairman of the Vanguard group, Garba Mohammed, has debunked allegations made by the former Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar offered $150,000 as a bribe during the recent State Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Bauchi, Mohammed described Yuguda’s claims as “weighty” but lacking in verifiable facts.

“With respect to the allegation of financial inducement to the tune of $150,000 in relation to the APC delegation’s report on the party congresses in Bauchi State, this is a serious accusation that demands credible proof”, the statement said.

Mohammed observed that in any lawful society, allegations of bribery cannot rest on conjecture, hearsay or political bitterness.

“If evidence exists, it should be laid before the appropriate authorities. Until then, it remains an allegation and must be treated as such”, he said.

He regretted that Yuguda does damage to his own reputation by resorting to such an unsubstantiated claim, stating that Bauchi needs and deserves real change, not recycled bitterness, political grandstanding and unverified accusations of those who feel it is their right to hold feudal like reins of power in Bauchi.

The chairman of the group said Tuggar’s political rise in Bauchi State was based on his own merit and grassroots support, not Yuguda’s influence.

Mohammed also questioned Yuguda’s credibility, citing his history of high-profile party movements, and urged him to address concerns through lawful party channels rather than making public allegations.

“Bauchi cannot afford a politics of regression, nor can it prosper under the weight of old rivalries dressed up as principled dissent. What the state needs now is forward-looking leadership committed to peace, progress and responsible engagement,” Mohammed said.

He explained that, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the focus should be on transforming Bauchi, the fifth largest and fifth most populous state in Nigeria, into the agricultural and mineral powerhouse of Nigeria.

“That is the real challenge. That is the real opportunity. And that is where the attention of serious-minded political actors should be directed,” he said.

Mohammed who demanded credible proof and evidence, noted that many APC stakeholders in Bauchi State haven’t echoed Yuguda’s objections, raising questions about his representation of party sentiment.

The focus, Mohammed said, should be on transforming Bauchi into an agricultural and mineral powerhouse, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the allegations made by Isah Yuguda against the minister are weighty and deserve to be treated with seriousness, restraint and fidelity to verifiable facts.

Mohammed stated that Yuguda cannot fairly claim credit for Tuggar’s political rise in Bauchi State, as he won election in 2007 to represent the good people of Gamawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the strength of his own political standing, grassroots support and personal merit.

He pointed out that, at that time, Yuguda was engaged in his own political battles in Bauchi State, and Tuggar’s emergence was neither dependent on nor defined by Yuguda’s influence.