There was mild drama at the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi on Friday, when the state’s Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, allegedly slapped the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a heated altercation.

The incident occurred during the turbaning of former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, as Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate, which coincided with the wedding of his daughter, Khadija Mohammed.

The high-profile event was attended by top political figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, among others.

According to eyewitnesses, the clash ensued after the Foreign Minister reportedly made disparaging comments about the Bala Mohammed-led administration, comments the deputy governor allegedly found offensive.

“The Deputy Governor was visibly furious. It was a shocking moment. If not for Vice President Shettima’s swift intervention, it could have escalated badly,” a source told our correspondent.

The altercation is believed to be a continuation of the long-standing political rift between Minister Tuggar and Governor Bala Mohammed. Tuggar, a staunch critic of the PDP-led government in the state.

Tuggar had earlier accused the governor of using President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms to kickstart his 2027 presidential ambition.

In a January appearance on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, Tuggar had said: “Governor Bala Mohammed showed clearly that he did not have any sincerity of purpose. He used the tax bill debate to jumpstart his presidential campaign.”

Reacting, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Aminu Gamawa, described the minister’s comments as “opportunistic and undiplomatic,” accusing him of seeking to curry favours from the Tinubu administration.

“Tuggar’s ambition to run for governor in 2027 is the real reason behind these constant attacks. But maligning a performing governor won’t help him,” Gamawa said.

He added that the minister’s alleged “absentee politics” and poor performance in foreign affairs had diminished Nigeria’s diplomatic strength, especially in Africa.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Bauchi State Government nor the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued an official statement on the matter.

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‎ Commissioner for Foreign and International Affairs in Imo State, Dr. Fabian Ihekweme, has dragged Governor Hope Uzodimma and the State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Rex Anunobi, to court, accusing them of orchestrating his unlawful arrest and detention for over two months.
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‎Ihekweme filed the suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking a declaration that his 61-day detention was illegal, malicious, and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
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‎He is therefore demanding the sum of N10 billion in damages and a public apology from the defendants.
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‎According to court filings dated April 14, 2025, obtained by SaharaReporters, the former commissioner alleged that Governor Uzodimma and Anunobi falsely accused him of financing the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed unit of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is proscribed as a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government and linked with alleged terrorism and violent activities in the South-East.
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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared his support for Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in the 2027 gubernatorial election, signalling a rare bipartisan endorsement across party lines in the state’s political landscape.

Akpabio, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, made his position known through his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, during a Town Square meeting held at the Ikot Ekpene Sports Stadium on Thursday.

The Senate President’s endorsement comes after Governor Eno’s public pledge of support for President Bola Tinubu to complete two terms in office on Tuesday.

Akpabio particularly thanked the Governor for empowering the constituents with business grants, adding that Akwa Ibom would be a greater place if successive administrations would emulate and sustain his inclusive leadership style.

“Let me welcome you to Ikot-Ekpene federal Constituency for the Town Square meeting and to appreciate you for the several life-touching projects that you have executed for this constituency

” I urge the constituents to work in unison towards ensuring that Akwa Ibom grows beyond religious, political and tribal barriers. I want to restate my commitment to supporting the Governor beyond 2027 irrespective of party affiliation,” Akpabio said.

The Member representing Ikot Ekpene-Obot Akara and Essien Udim Federal Constituency, Patrick Umoh, in his goodwill message, described the town hall square meeting as a true demonstration of democracy.

Umoh, an APC member, thanked Eno for his inclusive leadership style and moved a motion for the governor’s return to the Hilltop Mansion and this was unanimously endorsed by the constituents.

Responding, Eno, announced N260 grants to 664 farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs during the meeting.

A breakdown of the grants shows that 210 farmers received N105 million, 255 traders received N125 million, six beneficiaries of the Small Medium Enterprises got N5million each while 184 were beneficiaries of equipment support, and nine got cars of different types.

He enjoined the beneficiaries to make use of the grant judiciously to grow their enterprises, better their lives and those of their families, urging them to be prudent in the management of the funds as there was no second chance for those who have benefitted in the scheme.

Eno assured that the Needs Document received from the constituents will be carefully studied and accommodated in next year’s budget for effective implementation, and also commended the people of the Federal Constituency for their support which he acknowledged has enabled him to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

“Today, we came to say to Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, thank you for your support and for the work you have done.

“We have received the Needs Document and I like to say this clearly. This Needs Document is part of what the law requires before preparing a budget. You must engage with the people and that is what we have done by going to the federal constituencies to enhance citizens’ engagement. We will compile it and use it accordingly, though we might not be able to bring everything in, we will implement it according to available funds. So 2026 budget will be the people’s budget”

In his remarks, the Political Leader of Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien while presenting the Needs Document to the Governor, appreciated him for his inclusive and pragmatic leadership which according to him, has transformed the constituency in terms of human capital and infrastructural development, noting that within the last 20 months, over 42 life-touching projects have been executed in the Constituency.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairmen of the three Local Government Areas in the Federal Constituency, the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Hon. Nkom Nkom, commended the Governor for his developmental and transformative leadership in the Constituency, reiterating their commitment to supporting the Governor for another term come 2027.