Tuggar Denies Criticising Tinubu, Says Remarks Were Misrepresented- Ekohotblog

Tuggar Denies Criticising Tinubu, Says Remarks Were Misrepresented
Former minister said his remarks were taken out of context.
He reaffirmed support for Tinubu and the APC administration.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has dismissed reports claiming that he criticised President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his comments during a recent interview were misrepresented and taken out of context.

Tuggar made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday in Bauchi through his media aide, Abdulkadir Alkassim.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the former minister described reports suggesting that he questioned President Tinubu or the policies of his administration as false and misleading.

According to the statement, Tuggar’s remarks during a Hausa-language interview were focused solely on internal political processes within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State and not on the President or his government.

“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 former minister remained committed to the success of the APC-led administration and continued to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The Minister remains a loyal supporter of the President, fully committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the success of the APC-led administration,” he stated.

The statement explained that Tuggar’s comments centred on the need for transparency, fairness and internal democracy in the selection of candidates within the APC in Bauchi State.

According to Alkassim, the former minister only advocated for a credible and competitive process that would allow party members to freely choose their preferred candidates.

He noted that Tuggar also raised concerns over alleged attempts to influence the APC governorship process in the state, maintaining that all interested aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate in a transparent contest.

“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest,” Alkassim said.

The statement further referenced President Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees seeking elective offices to resign within the stipulated timeframe, noting that aspirants were expected to comply with the directive.

Tuggar maintained that his position was aimed at strengthening internal democracy, promoting fairness and fostering unity within the APC in Bauchi State.

Tuggar Denies Criticising Tinubu, Says Remarks Were Misrepresented

“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.