‘Partyless’ Yakubu Dogara to contest in 2019

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has accepted a request by his constituents to recontest the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Dogara, addressing supporters of his constituents who thronged his Abuja home on Tuesday, said he was already contemplating stepping aside, having represented the constituency for almost 12 years now.

He is however without a party. Although he has not officially dumped the ruling APC, he not regarded as a member of the party by senior officials including APC colleagues in the House, who often list him as an opposition member following his romance with Senate President Bukola Saraki and their collision against President Muhammadu Buhari.

There are rumours that he will join the main opposition party, PDP, but that is yet to happen. Even his supporters who thronged to his Abuja home had posters of him without a party affiliation.

Not perturbed by this, Dogara said he was overwhelmed by the show of support and solidarity by his people who travelled from Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa local government areas in Bauchi State to Abuja to impress on him to run again.

“Some people said they will retire us from politics, but we want to inform them that only God and the electorate can retire us.

“Because you came, because of your sacrifice, I want to announce to you that I will run to once again represent our constituency. I will soon come to meet you at home to make this formal.

“I am shocked and surprised because I never thought or imagined that when I woke up today I will see this mammoth crowd in my house.

“I am seeing faces of people we started this journey with since 2007. I pray God to reward you for this sacrifice. I was almost tired having been doing the same thing for almost 12 years now.”

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According to him, “In recent days I started hearing some rumours and some people were already celebrating that I won’t run again.

“Nobody can impose leadership on you. Only you our people can choose who will represent you.

“I want to assure you that whatever you want us to do that is what we will do. Those who have said that they will retire us from politics I want tell them that we have just begun.

“We will continue to attract development to our area; build roads, hospitals, schools, and create opportunities for our people to thrive,” he said.

Earlier, leaders of the group, Alhaji Murtala Miyetti Allah, Mrs Keziah Dare and Mr Bulus Bully, said they came on behalf of the people of the constituency to appeal to the speaker to seek re-election.

They said they could not afford not to have him represent them again, given the strides he had recorded in the last 12 years.

“I cried bitterly when I heard that you wont contest again but I am very happy now having seen you. Please continue to represent us . You have done so much for our people. You empowered women and youths,” said Dare .

On his part, Bully said “the people you are seeing are here because you have done well for us. We never expected the kind of development we are experiencing in our area.

Miyetti Allah appealed to the speaker saying, “Please help us return to the seat so that you can continue with the good works you are doing.

“We are calling on you with a laud voice. Please listen to us, wipe away our tears. Don’t quit yet.