APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Barrister Yakubu Dogara.
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
A group of North-East Concerned Citizens, has described a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Barrister Yakubu Dogara as the best running mate to be picked by Bola Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Chairman of the group, Muhammad Nurudeen, who stated this at a press conference held on Tuesday at the Correspondent’ Chapel Secretariat, Bauchi, said that their choice of Dogara was because of his track records.
He said that Bauchi State is a stronghold of the APC and has always given it the highest percentage of votes and should therefore be “compensated” and allowed to produce the vice presidential slot for Tinubu.
Nurudeen therefore, appealed to the North-Central and North-West to concede the number two slot to the region as it was left behind while other states in the region were loaded with political offices.
“I want to congratulate the APC family under the able Chairmanship of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and the leader of the party President Muhammad Buhari for successful conduct of all the primaries across the nation ranging from the State Assembly up to the most recent presidential Primaries where our Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu emerged victorious without any hitches, rancour, in a just, free, fair, in a very peaceful atmosphere.
“I also want to seize this opportunity to appeal to our brothers and sister in the North Central and North West to concede this slot of the VP to the North East as the North East is consistently in support of the other sections in collective efforts in the nation building so that all sections are carried along, while in return give us self-belonging and most importantly to keep the bond of our togetherness.
“Bauchi State should be considered because it is the stronghold of APC in the history of politics in Nigeria. The state always gives the highest percentage of votes to the ruling party(APC), even when it is in the opposition.
“The honour will double the efforts not only in Bauchi State but the entire North-East Zone.
Another reason why Bauchi state should be considered is because, the state was left behind, while other states in the region were overloaded with political offices,” he said.
According to him, Dogara, who is in his fourth term as a Member representing Dass/Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, possess so many qualities and he has gathered enough experience in his over 20 years of being in politics.
He said: “The state (Bauchi) is also blessed with a political icon who deserves this position in person of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, a grassroot politician, selfless leader who leads by example, a partisan politician who shows fair treatment irrespective of religion, ethnic or sectional background in every aspect of life.
“The man Dogara was in politics for over 20 years and within the corridor. He was elected member Representing the good people of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Constituency since 2007. He was the Honorable Speaker of the eight Assembly, (House of Representative) from 2015-2019. He has been peaceful and busy committed in discharging his constitutional responsibilities effectively.
“Dogara is a naturally born leader whose sterling qualities are exceptional. He grew steadily through hard work, discipline, prudence, fear of God, honesty and can best be described as a person strongly maintaining particular principles, pillar of hope, courage, and an epitome of humility to anybody who comes close to him.”
Nurudeen said that during his stay in the National Assembly, Dogara sponsored many bills that were established and “has set unprecedented records of achievements in Nigeria’s legislative and political history since independence in 1960.”
He added: “Notable among the many silent achievements; so far, over a 1,000 resolutions touching many aspects of our national life and Hundreds of public petitions from ordinary Nigerians were treated and addressed. Outstanding among these are the North East Development Commission, Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission Bill, among others. Finally, Yakubu Dogara is the best option for Asiwaju’s running mate.
“As the cruise for search of the All Progressives Congress Vice Presidency candidate is becoming hotter, the party is blessed with many qualified competent candidates. But, the former Speaker Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara is the best candidate for the office. Expectedly, our candidate is blessed with with a popular block votes, not only from the north east but Nigeria at large.”
