Tuggar Cautions APC Against “Last-Minute” Aspirants After Bauchi Screening

     Yusuf Maitama Tuggar

By Aviashima Toom 

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and a leading governorship aspirant in Bauchi State, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to guard against what he described as “fraudulent” consensus arrangements ahead of the party’s governorship primary.

Tuggar spoke with journalists shortly after undergoing screening by the APC National Working Committee, describing the exercise as a routine verification of credentials.

According to him, his political history as a founding member of the APC, as well as the defunct CPC and ANPP, makes his records well known to the party leadership.

The minister, however, expressed concern over what he called a sudden influx of aspirants who reportedly obtained nomination forms barely 24 hours before the screening exercise.

He warned that some late entrants could be part of a strategy to manufacture an artificial consensus in favour of a preferred candidate.

“It is unlikely that there is going to be a consensus in Bauchi State,” Tuggar said. “The APC must separate those who are genuinely committed from those who may only join the race to later withdraw for a preferred aspirant. Any fraudulent or untoward practice should not be entertained.”

The Bauchi governorship hopeful noted that the 2026 race differs significantly from his previous attempts in 2011 and 2015, citing reforms in Nigeria’s electoral process.

He observed that unlike in 2011, when he contested against an incumbent governor seeking re-election, the current administration in Bauchi is completing its final term in office.

Tuggar also pointed to improvements in electoral integrity, including provisions in the Electoral Act that discourage last-minute defections and political manipulation.

He further stated that technological advancements, such as the introduction of electronic accreditation systems, have helped reduce many of the irregularities that marred past elections.

Speaking on his motivation for seeking the governorship seat, the former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany said he was driven by a desire to strengthen education and governance at the state and local government levels.

According to him, the failure of sub-national governments remains the “Achilles’ heel” of Nigeria’s development challenges, contributing to insecurity and the growing number of out-of-school children.

“I am a product of the Nigerian educational system when it was top-notch,” he said. “We owe it to Nigeria to fix our education system so graduates can once again express themselves with confidence.”

Tuggar also urged the APC to support grassroots politicians and mobilisers capable of delivering electoral victories across governorship, legislative and presidential contests in the state.

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