A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has formally entered the 2027 governorship race in Bauchi State after purchasing the ₦50 million nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A video shared on Wednesday by a Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, Imran Mohammed, showed Tuggar signing necessary documents and receiving the nomination form from party officials.
Tuggar had earlier declared his intention to contest, describing his ambition as a unifying effort rather than a divisive move within the party.
“This is not just my ambition; it is a collective mission to move Bauchi State forward,” he said during a recent visit to the APC secretariat in Bauchi.
He emphasised that his entry into the race would strengthen internal democracy and healthy competition within the party.
The former minister, who stepped down from his position in March 2026 in compliance with a directive by President Bola Tinubu requiring political appointees seeking elective office to resign, reiterated his commitment to party discipline.
Tuggar pledged to support whoever emerges as the APC candidate, stressing that he would not resort to legal battles against fellow aspirants.
According to him, unity and cohesion within the party remain critical to achieving electoral success in 2027.
Speaking on his vision for the state, Tuggar said his governorship ambition is driven by the need to tackle pressing socio-economic challenges in Bauchi.
He listed poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and gaps in education and healthcare as key issues requiring urgent attention.
The former minister promised to prioritise agriculture, support small and medium-scale enterprises, and harness the state’s solid minerals potential.
He also pledged to improve security, ensure timely payment of workers’ salaries, and expand access to quality education and healthcare services.