In what sources have described as a moment of high drama and embarrassment for Vice President Kashim Shettima, an altercation nearly turned physical between Bauchi State’s Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Saturday.
The confrontation unfolded inside a Coaster bus conveying top dignitaries from the Bauchi airport to the Emir’s Palace for the turbaning ceremony of former Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar (SAN) as the Makama Babba 1 of Bauchi Emirate. The event also marked his daughter’s wedding and drew the presence of high-ranking personalities including VP Shettima and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya.
According to insider accounts obtained by SaharaReporters, tensions flared after the Deputy Governor allegedly confronted Minister Tuggar over a perceived display of political disrespect. The spark? A roadside billboard bearing Tuggar’s image, which Jatau reportedly viewed during the ride. He accused the minister of slighting the political hierarchy of the state.
“The Deputy Governor furiously told Tuggar that he would be dealt with for disrespecting Bauchi’s political leadership,” a source familiar with the incident revealed. “Tuggar calmly responded that the state isn’t anyone’s personal estate, and that remark triggered Jatau.”
What followed was a chaotic moment of shouting and near-violence. Witnesses say Jatau, seated at the rear of the bus, charged aggressively toward Tuggar who was seated just ahead of the Vice President. However, security personnel around VP Shettima swiftly intervened, preventing a physical confrontation.
“The scene was utterly embarrassing for the Vice President, who was visibly caught in the middle of the altercation,” the source said. “Although the situation was momentarily defused before they arrived at the Emir’s palace, tensions remained high.”
After the ceremony, the feud reignited. Jatau reportedly resumed his threats, forcing Minister Tuggar to opt out of the return trip to the Government House to avoid an escalation.
“Out of caution and to avoid further confrontation, Tuggar declined to rejoin the official entourage,” the source added.
Adding another layer to the drama, the Deputy Governor’s son, Shamsudeen—who reportedly has a controversial past including a stint in UK detention—was said to have taken to social media to spin the narrative. He allegedly claimed that the Deputy Governor had physically slapped the Foreign Minister, a claim multiple sources have dismissed as false.
Efforts to reach aides of both the Deputy Governor and the Foreign Affairs Minister for official comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
This dramatic incident, though managed behind palace walls, underscores the growing tension among Nigeria’s political elites and raises questions about decorum and discipline among top officeholders—even in the presence of the nation’s second-in-command.
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