BREAKING: Bauchi Deputy Governor Denies Slapping Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar Following Viral Claims
The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Auwal Jatau has denied reports circulating on social media and various platforms alleging that he slapped the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a high-profile event in the state on Friday.
The incident, which reportedly occurred inside a white coaster bus transporting dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to the Bauchi Emir’s Palace for the turbaning of former Governor Mohammed Abubakar, has sparked widespread speculation and political intrigue.
According to unverified accounts, an argument allegedly broke out after Minister Tuggar made derogatory remarks about Governor Bala Mohammed, prompting a furious response from Jatau, who was said to have slapped the minister in the presence of Vice President Kashim Shettima and several other prominent figures.
However, 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.”
Lawal further questioned the authenticity of the reports and challenged anyone with concrete evidence to present it.
“Did you see the evidence of the slap? I didn’t see it, I’m just hearing about that from you. But my belief is that there is no way the deputy Governor will slap a Minister. I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi, not even my principal or whoever is in his position.
“What is even the issue that will make the deputy Governor slap a Minister? I was not in the car and if there is any evidence that the Deputy Governor did such, maybe we can speak on that, but as of now, I don’t even know about it. That’s our position. And I don’t even think that the Deputy Governor, even if it is not in the presence of the Vice President can do that,” he said.
Adding to the intrigue, the governor’s son, Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, seemingly celebrated the alleged incident by reposting multiple Facebook posts that praised Jatau for defending his father’s honor.
The Governor’s son reposted two posts made by one Daure David: “The First Deputy Governor to slap a Minister in Bauchi. Mr. Taka kasha mari. #Boris. “Breaking News: Tension in Bauchi as Deputy Governor reportedly slaps Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
He reposted another post in Hausa which said: “Yau deputy govna ya jadada loyaltyn sa wa baba Kaura.” Meaning: “Today, the Deputy Governor reaffirmed his loyalty to Baba Kaura (Bauchi Governor).
“Idan zai zagi Kaura sau Goma, Jatau zai masa mari sau goma kyawawa..!” Meaning, “If he will abuse or insult Kaura 10 times, Jatau will give him 10 hot slaps.”
The altercation comes against the backdrop of a long-standing political rift between Governor Bala Mohammed and Minister Tuggar. The feud reportedly began after the Governor’s public criticism of the Tinubu administration following the #EndBadGovernanceProtest in 2023. Tuggar, a loyalist of President Bola Tinubu and a potential gubernatorial aspirant in Bauchi for 2027, had accused Governor Mohammed of poor governance and political opportunism.
