Top Minister Resigns as Tinubu Makes Fresh Appointment

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has resigned from his position to pursue his political ambition to run for governor of Bauchi State.

This was disclosed on Monday in a brief statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

He said, “The resignation of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs is confirmed.”

PUNCH Online had previously reported that Tuggar was among four ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet expected to resign in order to pursue their political ambitions.

The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, had earlier confirmed Tuggar’s intention to contest for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.

Abdulkadir said, “The minister is interested and aspires to run for the governorship seat of Bauchi State.”

When asked when Tuggar would resign his ministerial appointment, Abdulkadir said, “There is a timetable released by INEC that stipulates all the rules and regulations for running; he (Tuggar) will adhere to this.”

Tuggar, who hails from Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, previously contested for the position.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has appointed former senator, Ibrahim Ida, as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The appointments were announced in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Ida brings extensive experience in public administration and finance to his new role.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Sen. Dr Ibrahim Ida as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission and nominated seven people to fill vacant commissioner positions at the National Population Commission.

“Ida holds an MSc in Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan and an LLB from the University of Abuja,” the statement said.

Before his election to the Senate in 2017, where he represented Katsina Central, Ida served as Commissioner of Finance in Katsina State and later as a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

Tinubu also nominated seven individuals to fill vacant commissioner positions in the National Population Commission, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.

Those nominated include Kolawole Oladipupo Alabi (Ekiti), Nasiru Mu’azu (Zamfara), Usman Abubakar Tuggar (Bauchi), Dr Isaka Alada Yahaya (Kwara), Prof Sadiq Isah Radda (Katsina), Suleiman Umar (Jigawa), and Hon. Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo (Sokoto).

Onanuga noted that the nominations were meant to complement other federal commissioners already sworn in at the commission.

In a related development, the President appointed Dr Yusuf Mohammed from Kano State as Chairman of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo.

Tinubu also confirmed the appointment of Bala Bello as Special Adviser on Political Economy.

Bello, who hails from Taraba State, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Prior to the appointment, he served as Deputy Governor at the Central Bank of Nigeria and was also Executive Director (Corporate Services) at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank between 2017 and 2022.

The presidency expressed confidence in the capacity of the new appointees to contribute meaningfully to the administration’s agenda.

“President Tinubu strongly believes in the capacities of the appointees to put in their best to further the administration’s commitment to a better lease of life for Nigerians,” the statement added.