Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has denied criticising President Bola Tinubu in a recent interview.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Tuggar said reports suggesting that he questioned the President or his administration’s policies were false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Bauchi by his media aide, Abdulkadir Alkassim, the former minister said his remarks during a Hausa-language interview were misrepresented and taken out of context.
Alkassim said Tuggar remained loyal to the President and committed to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticise or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks,” Alkassim said.
He added that “the Minister remains a loyal supporter of the President, fully committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the success of the APC-led administration.”
According to the statement, Tuggar’s comments were focused on internal processes within the APC in Bauchi State.
It said the former minister spoke on the need for transparency and fairness in the selection of candidates.
Alkassim said Tuggar only advocated that party members should be allowed to freely choose candidates through credible and competitive processes.
The statement added that Tuggar raised concerns over alleged attempts to influence the APC governorship process in Bauchi State.
It said his position was that all aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity in an open contest.
“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest,” Alkassim said.
The statement also referenced President Tinubu’s directive that political appointees seeking elective office should resign within the stipulated timeframe.
It said interested aspirants were expected to comply with the directive.
Tuggar maintained that his comments were aimed at strengthening internal democracy within the APC and promoting unity in Bauchi State.
“Amb. Tuggar remains steadfast in his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, committed to party unity and dedicated to advancing policies that promote development, prosperity, and good governance,” the statement added.