BAUCHI, Nigeria (CHATNEWSTV) — The Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Auwal Jatau, has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging he slapped Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, during a public event over the weekend.
The claims, which went viral shortly after the turbaning ceremony of former Bauchi governor M.A. Abubakar at the Emir’s Palace, suggested that a heated exchange between Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed escalated when Jatau allegedly intervened and physically assaulted the minister.
Online accounts further claimed that Vice President Kashim Shettima and former Bauchi governor Adamu Muazu had to step in to deescalate the situation.
But speaking through his media aide, Muslim Lawal, Jatau strongly refuted the reports, calling them “fake.”
“No, no, how can a deputy governor slap a minister?” Lawal said in response to the allegation. “I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi because I know my principal as a responsible leader and number two citizen in Bauchi. He can never slap a minister or any person.”
Lawal added, “I am not aware of that and I am hearing it for the first time. If there is any evidence that the deputy governor did that, you can speak on that. We don’t know about it. The deputy governor cannot do that and that is our position.”
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has yet to issue a public statement regarding the incident. Tuggar, a former Nigerian ambassador to Germany, is rumored to have political ambitions in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.
The Bauchi State Government has not made any additional comment as of press time.
