Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has formally declared his intention to contest for the governorship position in Bauchi State, pledging to foster a robust business environment and ensure transparency in governance. Tuggar had earlier resigned from President Bola Tinubu's cabinet as directed by the President.
The ex-minister is no stranger to the Bauchi governorship contest. In 2011, he emerged as the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) but lost to Governor Isa Yuguda. He subsequently served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Gamawa Federal Constituency under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Tuggar also served as Nigeria's ambassador to Germany during the Muhammadu Buhari administration before his appointment as foreign affairs minister by President Tinubu.
Speaking on Saturday while addressing his supporters and party loyalists, Tuggar stated that he has stepped forward to lead the state, having identified ten major focus areas to move Bauchi forward. He emphasized that his government would be driven by contributions from the people and stakeholders, with emphasis on youth empowerment, women's investment, and trade development in both rural and urban areas.
Tuggar is the third aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to declare interest, following Bala Wunti and Senator Shehu Buba, who had earlier announced their intentions. There has been unease within the APC aspirants regarding whether a consensus arrangement will work or if the party will proceed to a direct primary.
Tuggar, who hails from Gamawa in Bauchi North, will face other aspirants including Buba, Wunti, and others yet to officially declare interest. Meanwhile, supporters of Health Minister Prof. Ali Pate, Nura Manu Soro, and others have flooded towns with their campaign posters.
