Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has reiterated his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that recent reports suggesting he criticised the President were inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement released on Sunday in Bauchi by his media aide, Abdulkadir Alkassim, Tuggar rejected interpretations of a recent Hausa-language interview that portrayed him as questioning the President’s leadership or policies.
The statement stressed that Tuggar made no remarks against Tinubu and described claims to the contrary as a deliberate misrepresentation of his comments.
According to Alkassim, the former minister remains fully aligned with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and continues to support the administration led by the All Progressives Congress.
He explained that the interview focused primarily on internal political developments within the APC in Bauchi State, particularly the importance of transparency, fairness and democratic principles in the party’s candidate selection process.
Tuggar was said to have advocated for credible and competitive primaries that would allow party members to freely choose their preferred candidates without undue interference.
The statement also noted that the former minister raised concerns about alleged efforts by Ali Pate to influence the APC governorship race in Bauchi State, arguing that all aspirants should be given equal opportunities to test their popularity through a fair contest.
Alkassim further pointed out that President Tinubu had already directed political appointees seeking elective positions to resign within the prescribed timeframe, and maintained that anyone interested in contesting should comply with that directive and seek the party’s mandate through the proper process.
He added that Tuggar’s remarks were intended to strengthen internal democracy within the APC and promote unity in the party.
The statement concluded by reaffirming Tuggar’s commitment to President Tinubu, party cohesion, and policies aimed at advancing development, prosperity and good governance in Bauchi State and across Nigeria.