Yakubu Dogara, erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, has decamped to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).
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| Yakubu Dogara |
Dogara was welcomed into the party during the presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, the commercial center of Nigeria.
Atiku received the former House of Reps Speaker into the ‘Umbrella’ party.
This is happening after 48 hours a Dogara-led Group, the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum, accepted Atiku as their choice presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
The Group comprising of Christian and Muslim religious and political leaders in the North, on 2 December, after weighing all the presidential candidates for the 2023 presidential election, described the PDP presidential flagbearer, Atiku, as the “best”.
The Group said: “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.
“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.”
However, River State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who contested against Atiku Abubakar in the PDP presidential primaries but lost, has frowned at Dogara’s endorsement of Atiku as the “best” candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
Wike said: “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?
“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?”
