Yakubu Dogara, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Dogara was received into the party during the presidential campaign by the party’s presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in the nation’s commercial capital, Lagos State.
This comes 48 hours after a group led by Dogara, the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum adopted Atiku as the preferred presidential candidate for the 2023 election.
On December 2, the group consisting of Christian and Muslim religious and political leaders in the north said after evaluation of all the presidential candidates that Atiku is “the best”.
“It is evident that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is heading for implosion and extinction; hence, it cannot be the party for now and in the future, because of its rejection to embrace inclusiveness in a diverse country like Nigeria. After the 2023 elections, APC may be dead and buried as a political party,” the group said.
“While the duo (NNPP and LP) may emerge as strong contenders in the political arena in the future, from all indications, PDP appears to be the best option to adopt and support.
“All it takes is to sustain and tackle some of the problems and challenges this country faces.
“Certainly, with proper consultations and inclusive appointments, which is mindful of the federal character principle with a sincere consideration of diverse issues such as religious affiliation, geographical location, and ethnic identity, which many believe will enhance justice, fairness and equity, after a careful evaluation of all the issues highlighted above, we now recommend the adoption of the PDP to all lovers of democracy in Nigeria for the 2023 presidential election.”
But the endorsement did not go down well with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who also contested the May 28 PDP presidential primary election against Atiku but lost to the ex-Vice President.
Wike criticised the ex-Speaker for backing Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid, claiming that Dogara had insisted on Nigeria’s presidential seat returning to southern Nigeria as against his most recent support for Atiku from the northern region.
“What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I would challenge them to a debate. Ask Dogara: what made you leave PDP?” the governor asked on Monday.
“Dogara was to see me; unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has gone to APC. I say ‘Okay, no problem’. The same Dogara said the presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be peace. Now, I hear about the same Dogara (backing Atiku from the north). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?”
Wike’s comment was the latest in the crisis rocking the main opposition PDP since the party’s presidential primary earlier in May.
Former Speaker Dogara Petitions IGP, Alleges Plot To Assassinate Him
Yakubu Dogara, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, has alleged a threat to his life, saying two police officers are conspiring with one Barau Joel Amos to kill him.
As a result, Dogara petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba on August 18, claiming Amos allegedly confessed to buying the rifles from the police officers with the intention of killing him.
According to him, two persons – a lawyer, Istifanus Bala Gambar, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Markus Musa – are also targeted in the purported assassination plot.
“I am sure you are apprised of the matter since it involves looting of your armoury in Bauchi by the very officers who are entrusted with the safe custody of your arms and a constituent of mine, Barau Joel Amos, who sought to buy or has been buying assault rifles from the officers,” Dogara said.
“I find it worrisome that there has been no official advice from the police relating to this credible threat to our lives to enable us to beef up security around us or just to be careful about our movements. More so, there is a spike in cases of kidnappings and killings by unknown gunmen, especially in the Lere District of T/Balewa.
“A case in point was the attack at Boto town where some relations of a former Governor of the State were killed while some were abducted. With all due respect, this is a matter that must not be handled with kid gloves.
“His confession relates to those who gave him or contributed the money for him to be used to procure weapons. His bank statements and phone call logs will definitely collaborate with his confessions.
“Granted his meager salary as a storekeeper in a secondary school, it will have taken him a lifetime saving to be able to raise the N1.2 million cash which he wanted to use to buy the two rifles.”
The lawmaker however did not say why there is a threat to his life.
Source: ChannelsTV
