During his ambassadorship in Germany, Tuggar played a key role during the 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He also facilitated the state visit of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Nigeria in August 2018.
In March 2020, Tuggar attended a meeting held with Siemens in Germany over projects in the Nigerian power sector, the chief of staff to the president Abba Kyari who tested positive for COVID-19. Tuggar ordered the closure of the embassy in Berlin, and himself was tested negative. Kyari later died on April 17, 2020.
As Ambassador, Tuggar initiated the repatriation of lost Benin artefacts from the German government leading to the return of 22 Benin Bronze looted artefacts valued at over 100 million pounds. I knew his father, Alhaji Abubakar Tuggar very well.
Alhaji Abubakar Tuggar was the Publicity Secretary of the Northern Peoples Congress between 1956 and 1966 during the First Republic when Alhaji Ahmadu Bello (June12, 1910-January 15, 1966) was the President General of the party and the then Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa from Jere ethnic group- a branch of the Hausas, was first Vice President of the party, Alhaji Tuggar was the spokesman of the party.
Other principal officers of the party then were Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu (1910-1965), from Balala in Adamawa State second vice president; Abba Mohammadu Habib (General Secretary); Alhaji Aliyu Makama Bida (General Treasurer), Alhaji Isa Kaita (General Financial Secretary), Mallam Ibrahim Musa Gashash (North Regional President); Mr Michael Audu Buba (North Regional Secretary); Mallam Habib Raji Abdallah and Mallam Mohammadu (Principal Organising Secretary) and Mallam Garba Abuja (Administrtaive Secretary).
In 1977, Alhaji Abubakar Tuggar was elected to represent Jama’are/Shira in the Constituent Assembly. The other members who represented Bauchi State in that Assembly then were Alhaji Uba Ahmed (Tangale Waja), Alhaji Tatari Ali (Katagum/Gamawa), Alhaji A. Bununu (Dass/Tafawa Balewa), Alhaji A. Kari (Darazo), Dr. Suleiman Kumo (Ako), Alhaji Magaji Mu’Azu(Gombe/Dukku), Alhaji A. Rufai(Misau), Dr. I. Tahir(Bauchi/Alkaleri) and Mr. Maikano Tilde (Ningi/Toro).
At the Constituent Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Tuggar was the spokesman for the Northern caucus which championed the Sharia cause.
In 1979, Alhaji Tuggar was elected to serve Gamawa Constituency in the House of Representatives. He was one of the major sponsors of Chief Edwin Ume Ezeoke (September 8, 1935 – August 1, 2011) from Nnewi to become Speaker of the House of Representatives, following the NPP/NPN accord.
He voted along with 245 members to defeat Mr. Hamza Ngadiwa, who had 201 votes to emerge as the Speaker. He conceded to make Mr Yunusa Kaltungo (Tangale-Waja South) to be the leader of the House of Representatives. He was later made chairman of the House committee on creation of states by Chief Ezeoke. Other members of the committee were O.O. Oreh, Honourables E. Ojogu, B. Kantoma,Y. Paiko, B.M. Mabrama Jen, Mrs Abiola Babatope, Tunji Abolade, S.M.C. Ihekweazu, M.A. Agbamuche, Sule Abubakar and Hamza Ngajiwa.
The Senate had the following members for the committee on the creation of states. They are Senators D.O. Dafinone, A. Muazu, I. Dimis, Hassan Zuru, F.O.M. Atake, D.O. Oke, Adeyiga Ajayi, Onyeabo Obi, E.P. Echeruo, Umaru Lawan Bama and Barkin Zuwo.
On June 22, 1983, a joint conference was held at the National Assembly premises Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos to pick the chairman of the National Assembly committee on the creation of states.
The conference commenced at 11.30 a.m. with an open address by the President of the Senate, Dr. Joseph Wayas (May 21, 1941 – November 30, 2021) accompanied by the Speaker ofHouse of Representatives, Chief Edwin Ume Ezeoke.
Dr. Wayas reminded the Conference of the need to harmonise the conflicting resolution of both Houses and determine which of the requests for creation of New States should go for Referenda.
After enjoining members of the Conference to deliberate on the issue at hand calmly and wishing them fruitful deliberations, the President of the Senate withdrew.
Soon after the withdrawal of the President of the Senate from the Conference, Senator Dafinone moved for the nomination and election of a Chairman for the Conference. Senator Ibrahim Dimis nominated Honourable Abubakar Tuggar, Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Creation of States. This was seconded by Senator Bama. Another motion nominating Senator Jalo Waziri (December 17, 1926-November 12, 1984) the Waziri of Gombe, Senator Bauchi
East,was moved by Senator Oke and seconded Senator F. Atake. A third motion nominating Senator Dafinone was proposed by Senator Ajayi.
Senator Dafinone however, declined. At this juncture, Senator Barkin Zuwo raised a point of order that the Conference Committee had not mandated Senator Dafinone to conduct the election of a Chairman for the Conference. He called on the Senate President to preside over the election of the Conference Chairman.
The point of order was unanimously adopted by a majority of the members present. Thereafter, the Senate President presided over the election of the Committee’s Chairman. A fresh nomination was called for by the Senate President whereby Honourable Abubakar Tuggar and Senator Jalo Waziri were again nominated.
Voting on the two candidates took place and returns were declared as follows-Honourable Abubakar Tuggar-13 votes and Senator Jalo Waziri-9 votes. The Senate President accordingly declared Honourable Tuggar elected as the Chairman.
Honourable Abubakar Tuggar took the chair and then called on Senator Waziri to say the opening prayer. In October, he was elected Senator from Bauchi state.
Now his son and President Tinubu are taking us on a foreign adventure and we are not sure where the voyage will lead us to.
Concluded
Eric Teniola, a former director at the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.
