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From Paul Orude, Bauchi
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has explained why he is seeking to become governor of Bauchi State for the third time, asserting that the office possesses enormous powers capable of driving rapid transformation and development.
Tuggar, who on Saturday formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke with journalists on Sunday at the Tuggar Foundation in Bauchi.
Tuggar first contested for the governorship in 2011 on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) but lost to the then incumbent governor, Isa Yuguda, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He again showed interest in the governorship race in 2015, but Mohammed Abubakar secured the party’s ticket after the merger that produced the APC.
The former Nigerian ambassador to Germany said his experience as a legislator made him realise that executive offices offer greater opportunities for direct impact than legislative positions. According to him, while lawmakers play vital roles in lawmaking and representation, the process of passing private member bills is often slow, difficult, and constrained by bureaucratic and political hurdles.
Tuggar was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to represent the Gamawa Federal Constituency.
“When I went into politics, I initially never intended to seek an executive position. I believed I would be satisfied serving as a legislator,” he stated.
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“But after becoming a legislator and participating in governance, I realised that making a significant impact through legislation can be frustrating, especially with the challenges private member bills face before becoming law. I then came to understand that there are enormous powers and opportunities in the executive office. A governor who is serious about transforming society can achieve so much within a short time.”
He recalled that he was first compelled to run for governor in 2011 following political realignments in Bauchi State that left his political camp without clear leadership. According to him, the political circumstances in the state and calls from supporters pushed him into the race.
Tuggar also noted that global economic developments at the time influenced his thinking, observing that the 2008 global financial crisis made agriculture attractive to foreign investors. He said he saw an opportunity to channel such investments into Bauchi State to boost economic growth, create jobs, and expand opportunities for farmers.
In the race for the 2027 APC ticket, Tuggar said he remained loyal to party decisions and was open to any democratic arrangement, including consensus.
“I am a party man and have always been so. I have never gone to court against my party after primaries or worked against its final decision,” the former minister stated.
“You can see those here with me today (Sunday, April 26). We have Honourable Uba Nana, former State Chairman of the APC; my original chairman when I went to the House of Representatives, ANPP Chairman Alhaji Sani Malam; and Honourable Shehu Barau Ningi, former Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change when I contested for governor in 2011. They will attest to the fact that whatever the party decides, I will go along with it. But if it is a contest between political parties, that is a different matter. I have actually gone all the way to the Supreme Court over an election.”
Several prominent politicians, including Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South), Bala Wunti, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, are eyeing the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election, with Tuggar widely tipped as one of the leading favourites to secure the party’s nomination in Bauchi State.
