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  • [See full letter] Why I dumped PDP for APC – Dogara

    [See full letter] Why I dumped PDP for APC – Dogara

    Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has explained why he left the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a letter of resignation addressed to the Bogoro ‘C’ Ward Chairman of the PDP, Dogara cited failure of governance in his home state, Bauchi, under the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed whom he helped install as a governor in 2019.

    Dogara said that he cannot successfully ask questions about maladministration without being accused of disloyalty if he were to remain in the PDP.

    The lawmaker argued that if he abdicates this responsibility of telling the truth to power in Bauchi State, having done same under the administrations of former Governors Isa Yuguda and Mohammed Abubakar, he will be the most irresponsible and unprincipled politician.

    His full letter below

    The Chairman

    People’s Democratic Party,

    Bogoro ‘C’ Ward,

    Bogoro LGA,

    Bauchi State.

    LETTER OF RESIGNATION OF MY MEMBERSHIP OF THE PDP

    The above subject matter refers.

    I write to intimate you of my decision to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    This became necessary because the same reasons why we fought hard in 2019 to effect changes in the Governance of our dear state are festering now.

    I intend to bring these issues to the front burners once again as the fight to install decent

    and egalitarian government in our dear state continues.

    Specifically, I intend to ask questions about the following:

    a. What has happened to LGA allocations since May 2019?

    b. What happened to our campaign promise to conduct LGA elections within six months of the PDP government?

    c. What happened to the N4.6 billion loan taken from a bank and paid directly into an private company’s account?

    d. Why are we segmenting salaries and why is payment of salaries of state workers outsourced to a private firm as consultants?

    e. Why are contracts inflated, awarded and payment of mobilisation done in violation of extant rules on procurement?

    f. Why are our highly revered Traditional Rulers and Elders treated with odium contrary to the guarantee we gave during the campaign that such will not happen under a PDP government?

    Mr. Chairman, you will agree with me that I cannot raise these issues and many more questions without a charge of disloyalty levelled against me if I were to remain a member of the PDP.

    I cannot also fail to raise these questions now, having raised similar ones during the administrations of Governors Isa Yuguda and Mohammed A. Abubakar. If I abdicate this responsibility on the altar of partisan loyalty, I will be the most irresponsible and unprincipled politician in Bauchi State.

    Thus, by this letter, I have resigned my membership of the PDP to enable me keep faith with my principle of fighting for good governance in our Dear State.

  • BREAKING: Dogara dumps PDP, returns to APC

    BREAKING: Dogara dumps PDP, returns to APC

    The immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has, again, decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The former Speaker along with the Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja on Friday.

    Dogara, a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) served as the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    He currently represents Bogoro/Dass, Nigeria/Tafawa Balewa, Federal constituency of Bauchi State since 2007.

    He was led to the president’s office in the state House by the Chairman of APC Caretaker/National Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, who intimated Buhari of the latest development in the party.

    The former speaker did not speak when requested by State House correspondents, but Buni confirmed that he has become a member of the APC.

    Dogara left the APC for the PDP in 2018.

  • Atiku, Saraki, Dogara, Melaye, other PDP leaders with ‘links’ to Hushpuppi must be investigated – APC

    Atiku, Saraki, Dogara, Melaye, other PDP leaders with ‘links’ to Hushpuppi must be investigated – APC

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on anti-graft agencies to investigate the link between some notable leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the leader of the Dubai based international e-fraudster Ramon Olorunwa Abbas popularly known as “Hushpuppi”.

    The party said the media space has been awashed with reports of criminal conspiracy linking some top echelon of the PDP with the fraudster who is currently facing criminal charges on cyber-enabled fraud in the United States of America.

    The party through it’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the governing party, Mr. Yekini Nabena in a statement in Abuja on Saturday demanded for an investigation by the country’s anti-graft agencies of money laundering allegedly linking some PDP leaders and financiers to the Dubai-based international criminal ring.

    The statement reads in part: “Reports of the criminal conspiracy linking the top echelon of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with Ramon Olorunwa Abbas also known as “Ray Hushpuppi” who was recently arrested along with associate(s) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and extradited to the United States of America to face trial over cyber-enabled fraud and Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes should be a matter of serious interest to relevant authorities in Nigeria.

    “We note that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has already declared the arraigned Instagram celebrity wanted over fraud allegations. However, the EFCC, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other sister agencies must investigate money laundering reports linking some PDP leaders and financiers to the Dubai-based international criminal ring”.

    The party said the call for investigation became necessary in order to unravel the choice of Dubai for the pre-2019 general election “strategic” meetings of the opposition party and the reported relationship of “Hushpuppi and some leaders including the opposition Presidential candidate.

    According to Nabena, “PDP leadership turned Dubai into their “Strategic” meeting place ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria and “Hushpuppi’s” affinity with the PDP leadership is not mere coincidence.

    “At different times, “Hushpuppi” was seen photographed in Dubai meeting with the PDP’s 2019 presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Senator Dino Melaye among other PDP stalwarts.

    “While relevant authorities investigate the nature of their relationship and business partnership, we also challenge the PDP leadership to do same by opening up on the nature of the relationship, particularly the kind of services the arrested “Hushpuppi” provided them”.

    Ahead of Edo and Ondo governorship elections, the ruling party in the statement renewed it’s call against monetised elections and vote buying schemes which the PDP has serially deployed in past elections.

    The party then urged relevant authorities to “up their guard to prevent this practices that threaten the sanctity of our elections. The people’s will and votes should determine elections, not illicit money used to buy votes.”

  • Ondo 2020: No PDP aspirant will be unjustly disqualified- Dogara

    Ondo 2020: No PDP aspirant will be unjustly disqualified- Dogara

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Screening Committee for Ondo State governorship election has assured the party aspirants that none of them would be unjustly disqualified.

    The Chairman of the Committee and immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen shortly after screening the aspirants in Abuja.
    Dogara assured the aspirants that the committee was out for justice; and justice would be served.
    “Justice is indivisible. What is justice for one has to be justice to the other.

    “We are sure that at the end of the day the party will be proud of the exercise that we have done. Nobody will be unjustifiably denied clearance for any reason. For any one who is qualify.
    “As a matter of fact, is it not even our responsibility to clear them, it is the documents they have presented before us that will clear them.
    ” As far as we are concern, once you have your papers and records intact, you are good to go. So, the assurance is that we are out for justice and we will ensure that justice is served to the end,” he said.

    Dogara said though the committee had screened all the aspirants, it would adjourned till Friday 1 p.m. before taken its final position on the exercise.
    He said that the committee recognised the responsibility bestowed on it and would do a thorough job.
    “This is in view of that fact that developments in politics no longer support the case of whimsical screening exercise any longer.
    “You have seen it, some people have won elections and lost elections on the account of defective screening that was done by the officials of their party.
    “So, we are aware of that and we are holding each of the aspirants to account for the information given to the party and the documents that they have submitted,” he said.

    Dogara commended members of the committee for their patience for the exercise that lasted for about 12 hours.
    When asked to comment on the large number of aspirants for the poll, he said no political party in a true democracy would restrained its interested members from participating in an election.
    “Even if they are 50 aspirants let them come, it is their constitutional rights. The party cannot prevent that. Nobody can regulate the provisions of the constitution.
    “In as much as they are members of the party and they want to run for this office, no one has the power to circumscribe the provisions of the constitution regarding their rights to vile for any office, except if they are defective in terms of requirements of the law or the party.
    “But, as long as they are qualified, no one can guard their rights to contest for any office. No political party should do that,” he said.
    The aspirants included the incumbent Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Agboola Ajayi; Eyitayo Jegede; Sen. Boluwaji Kunlere ; Dr Eddy Olafeso; Ben Okunomo; Bode Ayorinde; Otunba Bamidele Akingboye; Mr Godday Erewa; and Mr Sola Ebiseeni.

  • PDP appoints ex-Speaker Dogara head of screening committee for Ondo primaries

    PDP appoints ex-Speaker Dogara head of screening committee for Ondo primaries

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, as the chairman of its screening committee for the Ondo State governorship primaries.

    The appointment is contained in a statement issued by its National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (retd) in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Akobundu said that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) approved the nomination of Dogara and four others to serve on the screening gubernatorial committee.

    Other members of the committee, according to Akobundu, include Sen. Zainab Kure, Fred Agbedi and Ndubuisi Agwuama while Rev. Bunmi Jenyo will serve as Secretary.

    The committee is mandated to screen all aspirants for the upcoming 2020 governorship election in Ondo state.

    “The exercise is scheduled for Thursday at the NWC hall, Wadata Plaza at 10.00 a.m.,’’ Akobundu stated.

  • We’ll perform better than Saraki, Dogara’s eight assembly, Speaker Gbajabiamila boasts

    We’ll perform better than Saraki, Dogara’s eight assembly, Speaker Gbajabiamila boasts

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday said Nigerians should expect better service delivery from the ninth National Assembly.

    Gbajabiamila gave the commitment in Lagos while speaking at a reception dinner organised for him by the state government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dinner was attended by prominent personalities including Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau State.

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; a former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; and a former governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajumobi, were also among those present.

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, were with Gbajabiamila to receive guests at the dinner.

    The Speaker said though the eighth National Assembly did its best, Nigerians expected the ninth one to surpass the achievements of the last assembly.

    He promised that the new assembly would do better than the eighth assembly and would meet the expectations of Nigerians.

    The speaker said the new assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, would do things differently to get better results.

    Gbajabiamila assured Nigerians that the new House would make hard work and commitment its watchwords in order to meet the aspirations of Nigerians.

    ”There is so much work to be done but little time to do it.We are going to work hard, we are going to do things differently.

    ”We can’t do a thing over and over again and get a different result. The ninth assembly is going to do things differently for the good of Nigerians.

    ”The eighth assembly did its best, but we will do better. We will do our best in the service in the service of the country.

    ”We started with a slogan nation-building is a joint task, it cannot be done by one person. The ninth assembly would work for the good of the country.

    ”We will put into practical terms the meaning of leadership; we are not just going to talk the talk, but we are going to walk the talk,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila promised to be the speaker of all and not that of any particular region or state.

    He thanked the people of Lagos for electing him for a record fifth term in the House of Representatives, saying he would not take their support for granted.

    The speaker also thanked his family members and his colleagues in the House of Representatives for their consistent support.

    He said he was indebted to Tinubu for inspiring him politically and helping to nurture his career.

    Gbajabiamila said without Tinubu, he would not have gotten to where he was.

    The speaker said he found the narrative before the House leadership election that a vote him was giving the Speakership to Tinubu very ridiculous.

    He said those peddling that were doing so out of ignorance, as Tinubu only wanted the good of the country.

    Gbajabiamila thanked the state government for the reception dinner, saying he felt really loved by the gesture.

    Speaking, Sanwo-Olu described Gbajabiamila as a very cerebral and competent lawmaker.

    He said the state was proud to see him emerge as the Speaker of the ninth House of Representatives.

    The governor, while congratulating Gbajabiamila, said people expected so much from him.

    He urged him to use his office to better the lot of the people.

    NAN reports that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Ahmed Wase; Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin and other members of the lower chamber spoke in turns, highlighting the leadership qualities of Gbajabiamila.

  • Speakership: PDP coalition wants Dogara to contest against Gbajabiamila

    A coalition of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) support groups in Bauchi State has called on the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to contest for second term as Speaker.

    This is coming on the heels of the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to back Mr Femi Gbajabiamila for the speakership position in the ninth assembly, despite allegation of his criminal conviction in the US.

    The group, Freedom Amalgamated Youths Organisations (FAYO), at a rally in Bauchi on Saturday, said that Dogara had achieved a lot as the Speaker of the House in the last four years.

    Addressing members of the coalition, the chairman of the group, Suleman Shehu, said the group decided to call on the Speaker to re-contest his position in order to consolidate on his achievements, both at the national and constituency levels.

    According to the group, the Speaker had brought tremendous progress to his constituency through numerous projects which spanned his constituency and beyond.

    It added that, Dogara had stood by Bauchi State and the entire North as he spearheaded the creation of the North East Development Commission, which is aimed at addressing the challenges facing the region.

    Shehu noted that the commission will also put the region on the path of development which will reduce the dire humanitarian situation and displacement suffered by the people of the region.

    The chairman therefore, called on Bauchi State indigenes, especially members of the PDP and Governor Bala Mohammed, to prevail on the Speaker to contest and support his bid for the Speaker position.

  • NASS leadership: Saraki, Dogara, Secondus, PDP govs in crucial meeting

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus and PDP governors on Thursday engaged in a crucial meeting over the leadership of the 9th Assembly, other national and current issues.

    Though the meeting at the Bayelsa State Governor’s lodge in Abuja was still ongoing as of the time of filling the story, sources said the PDP leaders and governors also discussed the candidates to support for the NASS leadership.

    Present at the meeting as of the time of filing the report also included Governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).

    Others include governors of Adamawa and Zamfara, Bala Muhammed of Bauchi and Dave Umahi, (Ebonyi.)

  • How Oyedepo changed my life forever – Dogara

    How Oyedepo changed my life forever – Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has narrated how his contact with the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church, David Oyedepo in 1988 changed his entire life forever.

    According to Dogara, who met with Oyedepo, he had been a son of the bishop since his university days.

    “I first came in contact with Bishop David Oyedepo when I heard him say something in Bauchi in 1988 and it changed my entire life forever. 1988 in Bauchi, I picked it up and ran with it, and my life has been incredibly transformed.

    “For the last 27 years, I have been following the teaching I have received in Living Faith Church, faithfully. I am a proud son of this Commission. Yes in the midst of wolves, I am a practicing Christian. No truly spiritual person ever gets stranded in life,” he said.

    According to Dogara, “Many years ago, When Covenant University was taking off with its construction, I sacrificed my 6 months salary (as a lawyer in practice) wholesale to God for the construction of the University. It was a tough decision but I have never had to struggle for anything in life. Everything works in divine frequency for me.

    “Forget the riches and the blessings of the heathens, the blessings of the Lord maketh rich and added no sorrow. Nothing can be compared to serving God.

    “If it were not for the teachings we received on this altar, maybe all my political victories may not have come. We had Goliaths in the run up to the election; there were Tobias and Sambalats. We had Balams who were asked to curse us but God was and is with us, for whom the Lord has blessed no man can curse.

    “It pays to serve God in this life and ultimately, in the life to come,” he said.

  • 9th Assembly: Dogara denies joining speakership race

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday said he was not in the the race for the Speakership of the 9th National Assembly.

    This was contained in a statement by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan.

    It said the clarification became necessary to distance the Speaker from the fake news being pushed and circulated by mischief makers and enemies of progress who want to create confusion in order to benefit and feast on it.

    “The Rt. Hon. Speaker has always spoken for himself and would not be engaged in childish hide and seek games”, it added.

    “When he contested in 2015 he openly sought for support and openly canvassed for votes and there is nothing stopping him from doing so now if that were the case.

    “We have official channels of communication and we have not issued any statement to that effect.

    “We urge members of the public to totally disregard the fake news being published about the Speaker,” he said.