By Jane Salihu
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has expressed confidence in his bid for the governorship of Bauchi State, urging the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that only genuine and committed party members emerge from the primary process.
Tuggar spoke to journalists in Abuja after appearing before the APC screening panel ahead of the party’s governorship primary.
Describing the exercise as routine, the minister said his long history in the progressive movement and his extensive public service record made the screening 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 a member of the ANPP and CPC, my documentation is not unfamiliar to the party. The process was smooth and straightforward.”
Tuggar highlighted his political and diplomatic experience, noting that he has served as a member of the House of Representatives, Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, and currently as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He said he also contested for governor in 2011 under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and again during the formative years of the APC.
On the mode of primaries, Tuggar said consensus was unlikely in Bauchi due to the growing number of aspirants, including several who reportedly joined the race shortly before the screening.
“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, Tuggar cautioned the APC against allowing what he described as fraudulent or tactical candidacies designed solely to step down for a preferred aspirant.
“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 said his third attempt at the governorship would be different if the APC nominates him, citing changes in the electoral system and the current political context.
“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 noted that reforms to the Electoral Act and improvements in election technology have reduced many of the irregularities that affected earlier contests.
According to him, the party must pay close attention to aspirants with genuine grassroots structures and the capacity to deliver both the governorship and strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tuggar said his motivation for seeking office stems from a desire to give back to a country that provided him with quality education and opportunities.
“Nigeria has been good and kind to me,” he said. “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 identified education, local government effectiveness and security as priority areas, arguing that stronger institutions at the subnational level are essential to tackling 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,” Tuggar said.
