Tuggar: How Bala Mohammed insulted my father, threatened to slap me

Tuggar

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, says he has endured a frosty relationship with Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi.

In a report published Thursday, Tuggar told BBC Hausa how a disagreement with the governor widened their rift.

‘ALTERCATION IN A BUS’

On April 19, the minister was among dignitaries who accompanied Vice-President Kashim Shettima to Bauchi.

Hours later, reports alleged that Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Bauchi deputy governor, dished a slap on Tuggar in a bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the emir of Bauchi’s palace.

The reports claimed the slap occurred after the minister made disparaging comments about the governor.

Jatau denied the claims.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Tuggar blamed the state governor for the altercation.

He said Mohammed interrupted a conversation he was having with the vice-president — thereby drawing first blood.

Tuggar added that the governor later insulted his father, who died over 20 years ago, and threatened to slap him.

“I didn’t see how he could beat me or slap me, so I also stood up and tried to stop him,” the minister said.

”After that, his deputy ran from the back of the bus, saying he would also come and slap me, but he couldn’t even get close to me, because don’t forget that the vice-president was in that bus.”