Drama erupted at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi on Friday April 18, as Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau allegedly slapped Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
DailyPostng reported that the incident occurred during the turbaning of former Bauchi Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, as Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate.
The ceremony also featured the wedding of Abubakar’s daughter, Khadija Mohammed.
Top dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya, attended the event.
Eyewitnesses said the deputy governor reacted angrily after Tuggar reportedly criticized Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration.
Sources claimed Jatau confronted Tuggar over his remarks, which he considered insulting and provocative.
“The Deputy Governor was visibly furious. The atmosphere became tense,” a witness told our correspondent.
He added, “If Vice President Shettima had not stepped in, the situation could have turned violent.”
The clash reportedly deepened the existing political feud between Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed.
Tuggar, a strong critic of the PDP-led administration in Bauchi, has repeatedly accused the governor of selfish ambition.
In January, Tuggar told Channels TV that Governor Mohammed used President Tinubu’s tax reforms to launch his 2027 presidential campaign.
He said the governor lacked sincerity and used national issues for personal political gains.
Reacting, Governor Mohammed’s Chief of Staff, Aminu Gamawa, described the minister’s comments as opportunistic and undiplomatic.
Gamawa said Tuggar only wanted to curry favour with President Tinubu ahead of his 2027 governorship ambition.
He accused the minister of poor performance and “absentee politics” that damaged Nigeria’s diplomatic image.
“Tuggar’s constant attacks won’t stop a performing governor,” Gamawa declared.
As of press time, both the Bauchi State Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained silent on the incident.
