The former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has officially joined the race for the Bauchi State governorship after obtaining the All Progressives Congress (APC) expression of interest and nomination forms on Wednesday.

Addressing reporters after completing the purchase of the N50 million forms, Tuggar outlined key priorities for his proposed administration, highlighting insecurity and economic revival through agriculture ad focus areas.

He noted that addressing security concerns and making better use of the state’s agricultural resources would be critical to improving livelihoods across Bauchi.

“The challenge of insecurity and the need to properly utilise our farmland will be top priorities. Bauchi has vast land resources, and these must be structured in a way that supports subsistence farmers and pastoralists while lifting people out of poverty,” he said.

Tuggar emphasised that fair access to land must be ensured to prevent economic imbalance, warning against a system where resources are concentrated in the hands of a few at the expense of the majority.

On the party’s primary election method, the aspirant said he would accept either direct primaries or consensus arrangements, provided the process is transparent and credible.

“I am comfortable with whichever option the party adopts, as long as it guarantees fairness. What matters most is producing candidates who have integrity and genuine support among the people,” he stated.

Tuggar resigned from his ministerial role on March 30, 2026, in line with a directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mandating political appointees seeking elective positions to step down.

Following his exit, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu was appointed to lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having previously served as Minister of State in the same ministry.