Chaos in moving bus as Bauchi deputy governor allegedly slaps Minister

A dramatic scene unfolded in Bauchi State on Friday after a heated exchange between Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar reportedly escalated into a physical altercation. According to reports, the confrontation took place on a bus transporting top political figures from the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport to Bauchi. The altercation is said to have begun between Governor Bala Mohammed and Minister Tuggar before Deputy Governor Jatau intervened. A move that allegedly intensified the clash. Sources told Leadership that tensions had been simmering between Governor Mohammed and the Foreign Affairs Minister over recent disagreements surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms. The governor had publicly criticised the Tax Reform Bills, arguing they would impoverish the northern region. In response, Tuggar defended the policies, saying they were fair and not targeted at any part of the country. Their disagreement quickly evolved into a media face-off, further deepening the rift. In what appears to be a continuation of that feud, Friday’s encounter turned chaotic, with unconfirmed reports alleging that Deputy Governor Jatau may have slapped Minister Tuggar during the scuffle. High-profile individuals, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Health Minister Ali Pate, and several senators, were reportedly on board the vehicle at the time. While the governor’s spokesperson, Mukhatar Gidado, declined to comment on the matter, saying he wasn’t present and hadn’t been briefed, a source close to Tuggar confirmed there was indeed an altercation — but stopped short of verifying any physical exchange. This incident adds another layer to the growing political tension within the state and the inner circle of the federal government.