Yakubu Dogara former speaker of the House of Representatives, yesterday resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Dogara dumped the PDP to return to All Progressive Congress (APC), twenty-two months after leaving the APC for PDP. Reports say his defection might be due to his conflict with Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and with 2023 in sight.
The governor has however rebuffed claims of any feud with the former lawmaker.
Mai Mala Buni, governor of Yobe State and chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee announced the defection of Dogara after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and the former speaker at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buni while answering questions from reporters confirmed the return of Dogara, saying, “Yeah, he’s back.”
On whether his return was about 2023, Buni said: “Well, of course, not only 2023 strategy, this party, we are rebuilding the party to outlive all of us. It’s not only about specific time or period, it’s not about election, it’s not about electioneering. It is about building a party.
“We are meeting all our aggrieved members, particularly those who have interest in coming back to the party. They should feel free to do so. We are assuring them and there is no crime in double assurance.
“We will do justice to all our members and that’s what will bring peace and that is what will guarantee peaceful co-existence, that is what will bring the consolidation of the party, the rebuilding of the party. Without doing justice, you cannot achieve that and we are sure of doing justice to all our members.”
Buhari welcomes the development
Governor Buni said his visit to the State House was to President Buhari on the developments in the APC.
Commenting on the President’s feeling on Dogara’s return, Buni said; “He (Buhari) welcomed him. He’s happy with the development. That’s what he’s looking for. We are rebuilding the party and these are the steps we are taking towards rebuilding the party. Similarly, the media aide to Buni, Mamman Mohammed, said the return of Dogara was just the beginning of the good things awaiting the party under Gov. Buni’s watch.
“I want to assure you that APC in the next six months will not only recover from the threat of disintegration but will wax stronger to remain the leading party in Nigeria,” he said.
Source: Daily Trust