Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has clarified that his recent comments were aimed at promoting internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State and not a criticism of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Abdulkadir Alkassim, Tuggar said the reports portraying his remarks as an attack on the President were inaccurate and misleading.

The statement explained that Tuggar’s comments centred on the need for transparency, fairness and credible competition in the selection of the APC candidates ahead of future elections.

According to Alkassim, the former minister advocated for a process that would allow party members to freely choose candidates through open and democratic contests.

He said Tuggar also expressed concern over alleged attempts to influence the APC governorship selection process in Bauchi State, maintaining that all aspirants should be given equal opportunities to test their popularity before party members.

“His contention was simply that all interested candidates should have a fair opportunity to participate in an open contest,” Alkassim stated.

The aide further noted that Tuggar supports President Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to resign within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that interested aspirants are expected to comply with the directive.

He added that Tuggar’s position was intended to strengthen the APC, foster unity among party members and deepen democratic practices within the party.