Group Demands Evidence as Yuguda Accuses Foreign Minister of Bribery

From Paul Orude Bauchi

A political group, Tuggar Vanguard, has reacted strongly to allegations made by former Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, accusing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, of receiving a $150,000 bribe, warning that such claims could damage Yuguda’s own reputation if left unsubstantiated.

In a statement made available to journalists in Bauchi, the Chairman of the group, Garba Mohammed, was responding to reports titled “Tension in Bauchi APC as Ex-PDP Governor Accuses Tinubu’s Minister of $150,000 Bribe, challenged Yuguda to provide credible evidence to support the allegation.

“With respect to the allegation of financial inducement to the tune of $150,000 in relation to the APC delegation’s report on the party congresses in Bauchi State, this is a serious accusation that demands credible proof,” Mohammed stated.

“In any lawful society, allegations of bribery cannot rest on conjecture, hearsay, or political bitterness. If evidence exists, it should be laid before the appropriate authorities. Until then, it remains an allegation and must be treated as such.”

He further argued that making such unverified claims could harm Yuguda’s own standing.

“More troubling, however, is the damage Yuguda does to his own reputation by resorting to such an unsubstantiated claim. That he would wish to sink so low says far more about his sense of entitlement and his current standing in the political life of Bauchi than it does about Ambassador Tuggar,” he added.

Mohammed stressed that Bauchi State requires “mature leadership, disciplined engagement, and a clear commitment to progress,” rather than “recycled bitterness, political grandstanding, and unverified accusations.”

He also dismissed any suggestion that Yuguda played a role in Tuggar’s political rise, noting that the minister won election in 2007 to represent Gamawa Federal Constituency based on his personal merit and grassroots support, independent of Yuguda’s influence at the time.

On claims that Tuggar is destabilising the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Mohammed maintained that the minister’s political history reflects consistency and loyalty.

“From the ANPP to the Buhari political movement, to the CPC, and later to the APC, he has remained within the same progressive fold. He has not been known for political defections,” he said, contrasting this with Yuguda’s history of party switches.

The group urged that any genuine concerns regarding party affairs in Bauchi should be addressed through established internal mechanisms, rather than through public accusations capable of inflaming tensions.

Mohammed further noted that Yuguda appears to be among the few APC stakeholders publicly objecting to the outcome of the congresses, pointing out that other prominent party figures, including former governors, lawmakers, and ministers, have not echoed his position.

He emphasised that Bauchi politics must not be reduced to “the ambitions or grievances of one individual,” adding that the state “is bigger than any one man” and deserves leadership focused on unity, development, and progress.

According to him, political discourse in the state should shift away from personal attacks and focus on issues affecting citizens, while stakeholders work to strengthen democratic culture and party cohesion.

He concluded by urging political actors to align with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing the need to position Bauchi as a major agricultural and mineral hub in Nigeria.

“That is the real challenge. That is the real opportunity. And that is where the attention of serious-minded political actors should be directed,” Mohammed said.