Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has accused Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State of using his criticism of President Bola Tinubu over tax reforms to launch his 2027 presidential campaign.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Tuggar claimed that the Bauchi governor’s attacks on the president lacked sincerity and were aimed at positioning himself politically.

Tuggar stated, "Governor Bala Mohammed clearly showed that he does not have any sincerity of purpose. Other governors questioned the tax bill, which is acceptable to ensure the best outcome for Nigerians. However, Governor Mohammed took it a step further by using the issue as a platform to advance his presidential ambitions far too early."

He added that the governor was particularly harsh in his comments about President Tinubu and the administration, escalating the rhetoric.

The Minister also noted that Mohammed had been trying to secure a meeting with Tinubu after his criticism of the tax reform policies.

Earlier, Governor Mohammed had expressed concerns about the tax policy, stating that it could lead to anarchy and negatively impact the northern region. During a Boxing Day speech to a Christian community, he urged Tinubu to reconsider the tax reforms, claiming they would harm northern states and prevent governors from paying salaries. He also warned that continued implementation of the policy could trigger unrest in the region.

The Presidency responded by condemning Mohammed's remarks, labeling them a threat and clarifying that his views did not represent those of the entire northern region.

In contrast, on January 16, Nigerian governors expressed their support for the Federal Government’s tax reform bills, although they proposed a revised value-added tax (VAT) distribution formula. The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), after meeting with the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, reaffirmed their commitment to modernizing Nigeria's outdated tax laws.

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