Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar claims Governor Bala Mohammed is using his criticism of President Tinubu’s tax reforms to advance his 2027 presidential ambitions. Tuggar accuses Mohammed of lacking sincerity and using the platform to launch his campaign. The controversy highlights growing tensions over Nigeria’s tax policies.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar has accused Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed of leveraging his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms as an early bid for the 2027 presidential race. Speaking on Channels Television's Sunday Politics, Tuggar claimed Mohammed’s remarks lacked sincerity and were politically motivated.
Tuggar noted that while other governors constructively critiqued the proposed tax reforms, Mohammed’s approach stood out for its severe and inflammatory tone. He alleged that the governor used the platform to bolster his political aspirations rather than engage in genuine discourse.
The Minister also disclosed that, despite his public criticisms, Mohammed has been seeking an audience with President Tinubu, raising questions about his intentions.
Governor Mohammed had criticized the tax reform policies during a Boxing Day address, claiming they disproportionately burden the northern region and could lead to widespread unrest. He argued that the reforms would make it difficult for governors to meet salary obligations, adding that the North might “show its true colors” if the policies persisted.
In response, the Presidency condemned Mohammed’s remarks, dismissing them as unrepresentative of the northern consensus. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum recently expressed overall support for the Federal Government’s tax reforms, proposing adjustments to the VAT sharing formula.
