Folarin Kehinde

Farouk Sule Gamawa

Aminu Gamawa the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Bauchi State should have been advised to stay out of these exchanges between his political leaders, though he works for Bala Mohammed, Amb Yusuf Tuggar of the APC is his leader by virtue of being the leading politician from his Gamawa constituency. Another reason he should have stayed out of it aside from being an apologist to the governor, he is also an enabler and as it is widely being alleged that he is also a beneficiary of the lands being grabbed. He is a beneficiary of stolen communal lands.

In a desperate attempt to salvage what remains of Governor Bala Mohammed’s credibility after years of abysmal leadership in Bauchi State—and to fuel his futile political ambitions for the 2027 presidential race—Mohammed and his political lackeys have resorted to scapegoating President Tinubu’s unprecedented tax and economic reforms. However, even within his own party, the PDP, Mohammed’s credibility is in question.

Bala Mohammed’s theatrics are merely a smokescreen to distract the public from scrutinizing his government’s failures. But Nigerians, and particularly the people of Bauchi State, are not so easily deceived. His national media stunts and attention-seeking antics will not rewrite history.

Aminu Gamawa: A Political Pawn in Bala’s Game

One of the latest attempts to rebrand Bala Mohammed is a dubious article purportedly written by Dr. Aminu Hassan Gamawa, Chief of Staff to the Bauchi State Government House. In this piece, Gamawa exposes his ignorance of Nigeria’s foreign relations under the leadership of Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. His writing is not only misleading but a desperate attempt to paint his paymaster as an angel while distorting facts about Tuggar’s tenure as Foreign Affairs Minister.

Gamawa’s weak and uninformed arguments validate the central thesis of Professor Isa Ali Pantami’s book Skills Rather Than Just Degrees—a work that should be required reading for individuals like him, whose academic titles appear to hold little correlation with actual knowledge.

Without any factual backing, Gamawa attempts a scathing critique of Tuggar’s leadership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, peddling outright lies to mislead the public.
Tuggar’s Achievements vs. Bala Mohammed’s Failures
First and foremost, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not a structural development agency but a diplomatic institution responsible for advancing Nigeria’s global interests.

Its effectiveness is measured by the quality of diplomatic representation and the foreign investment opportunities it secures for the country. By these standards, Tuggar’s achievements in under three years far outweigh Bala Mohammed’s nearly eight years of misgovernance.
Under Tuggar’s leadership, Nigeria has signed 87 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) worth $50.8 billion in just three years.

This milestone has significant developmental implications, reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa. The global community now recognizes Nigeria’s renewed influence, as evidenced by the country’s admission into BRICS as a partner nation and its stellar performance at international summits—led by Tuggar.

Yet, Gamawa, blinded by his lack of understanding, dismisses these diplomatic engagements as mere “globetrotting.” What else does a Foreign Affairs Minister do if not represent national interests on the global stage to attract partnerships that benefit Nigerians?

Tuggar’s Commitment to Bauchi State

As a citizen and political leader from Bauchi State, Amb. Tuggar has every right to engage in discussions about the state’s leadership crisis. His interventions are not driven by personal ambition but by genuine concern for governance failures under Bala Mohammed. Contrary to Gamawa’s misleading claims, Tuggar remains deeply connected to Bauchi State.
For example, in December 2024, the Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar Foundation donated food items worth ₦35 million and provided over ₦12 million in direct cash assistance to Bauchi residents.

Additionally, Tuggar secured a $200,000 donation from ECOWAS through the Red Cross to aid flood victims in the state. His foundation has also empowered over 550 women and youths with essential tools such as tricycles, sewing machines, grinding machines, water pumps, and wheelchairs to foster self-reliance.

These tangible contributions expose Gamawa’s false claims that Tuggar is out of touch with Bauchi State’s realities.

Setting the Record Straight on ECOWAS and UAE Relations

Gamawa’s feeble attempt to blame Tuggar for ECOWAS’ ongoing crisis is laughable. The regional issues predate Tuggar’s tenure, yet he has worked tirelessly to manage and mitigate potential conflict between Nigeria and Niger. ECOWAS remains strong despite its current challenges, which involve multiple countries, not just Nigeria.

Similarly, Gamawa falsely attributes the UAE visa ban to Tuggar. Historical records show that the UAE imposed the ban in October 2022, affecting 20 African countries—well before President Tinubu’s administration took office. Since then, Nigeria has engaged in continuous diplomatic discussions with the UAE to resolve the issue. But given Gamawa’s limited grasp of international relations, it is unsurprising that he cannot comprehend the complexities of diplomacy.

Ignorance and Hypocrisy on Nigeria-France Relations
Gamawa’s claim that Tuggar aligns with “neocolonial powers” is another example of his intellectual laziness. Nigeria has long maintained a strategic partnership with France, a relationship built on mutual interests rather than subjugation. Unlike the military juntas of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—whom Gamawa appears to admire—Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy governed by laws enacted through the National Assembly.

Any fundamental shift in Nigeria’s foreign policy would be a matter for the legislature, not an impulsive decision by a single individual.
A Dismal Comparison: Bala Mohammed vs. Tuggar
In his misguided attempt to elevate Bala Mohammed, Gamawa draws an absurd comparison between the governor and Ambassador Tuggar—a futile exercise that only highlights Mohammed’s failures.

Tuggar’s political career has been defined by excellence. As a former House of Representatives member, he chaired multiple committees and contributed to critical national policies. As Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, he distinguished himself with high-level diplomatic engagements, securing strategic partnerships between Nigeria and Germany. His tenure as Foreign Affairs Minister has only solidified his reputation as a competent and visionary leader.

In stark contrast, Bala Mohammed’s tenure—both as Minister of the FCT and Governor of Bauchi State—has been marred by incompetence. His failures have been further exposed by his successor at the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, whose swift infrastructural developments have laid bare Mohammed’s years of mismanagement.

Conclusion: Tuggar’s Focus Remains Unshaken
No amount of blackmail or character assassination will deter Amb. Tuggar from delivering on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his responsibilities as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Neither Bala Mohammed, Gamawa, nor their enablers can silence Tuggar’s rightful criticism of the failed leadership in Bauchi State.

And if Tuggar harbors gubernatorial ambitions, it is well within his constitutional rights to pursue them—something no amount of political scheming can change.

Bala Mohammed should focus on using what remains of his wasted eight years to deliver meaningful governance to the people of Bauchi State instead of engaging in baseless propaganda.