Tuggar Confident of Bauchi Guber Bid, Warns APC Against “Last-Minute Aspirants”

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has expressed confidence in his governorship ambition for Bauchi State while cautioning the All Progressives Congress (APC) against what he described as last-minute and insincere entrants into the race ahead of its primary election.

Tuggar spoke to journalists in Abuja shortly after appearing before the APC governorship screening panel, where he was cleared alongside other aspirants for the party’s ticket.

He described the screening as a routine exercise, saying his long-standing involvement in the progressive political family made the process straightforward.

“The process was pretty much routine. You come with your credentials and face members of the National Working Committee,” he said.

“As a founding member of the APC, and before that ANPP and CPC, my documentation is not unfamiliar to the party. The process was smooth and straightforward.”

The former minister, who has also served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany and as a member of the House of Representatives, recalled his earlier attempts at the governorship, noting that he contested in 2011 under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and again during the early days of the APC.

On the party’s mode of primary, Tuggar said consensus may be difficult in Bauchi due to the increasing number of aspirants, particularly those who entered the race at the last minute.

“Initially there were five aspirants, but suddenly we saw a flurry of activity and a deluge of forms being procured just a day before screening,” he said.

While affirming that every party member has the right to contest, he warned the APC to be wary of aspirants who may not be genuinely committed to the process.

“It is important for the party to sift through those who are sincerely committed to the APC and those who may have entered the race only to withdraw later for another candidate,” he stated.

Tuggar stressed that his current bid would be different if he secures the party’s nomination, arguing that changes in electoral processes and reforms to the electoral law have improved the credibility of elections compared to previous cycles.

“In 2011, I contested against an incumbent seeking re-election. This time, the incumbent is completing his tenure and looking to field a successor,” he said.

He added that improvements in election technology and reforms to the Electoral Act have reduced the level of irregularities that previously shaped electoral outcomes.

According to him, the APC must prioritise aspirants with strong grassroots structures and the capacity to deliver electoral victory for both the party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tuggar said his renewed ambition is driven by a desire to contribute to national development, especially at the subnational level.

“Nigeria has been good and kind to me. I want history to be kind to me too, and that means returning to help fix our country from the state and local government levels,” he said.

He identified education, local government efficiency and security as key priorities, noting that stronger subnational governance is critical to addressing insecurity and reducing the number of out-of-school children.

“We owe it to Nigeria and Nigerians to restore our educational system to the standard that once made it one of the best,” he added.