Ambassador Abdulrahman Sade is a political analyst, public relations consultant and activist. He was one of those that supported the aspiration of Hon. Yakubu Dogara from the sidelines. He spoke to some select group of journalists where he debunked the notion making the rounds that the new Speaker will promote CAN agenda. Sade also discusses other issues particularly the expectations of Nigerians on the 8th National Assembly. AWAAL GATA reports
There are insinuations that Hon Yakubu Dogara would want to promote what is essentially a CAN Agenda, how will you respond as an insider?
Let me first of all remind you, that the House of Representative is an assemblage of representatives of Nigerians of different ethnic and religious background, so it is absolutely impossible for one individual to pursue an agenda that will benefit an interest group. It is not possible, that impression should be discountenanced Please, we know he (Hon Yakubu Dogara) is a Christian but let me inform you, if you don’t know, majority of his friends are Muslims. Even those that spearheaded his campaign for this seat are Muslims.
Hon Dogara is one man who does not treat one on the basis of religion or where you come from; he is a humble and patriotic Nigerian. This is a man who during Ramadan supports Muslims across the state and beyond. He has year in year out sponsored muslims for the Hajj rites, so the question of heading the House to pursue a certain agenda should be ruled out completely please.
Can you give us an insight into how he emerged?
Besides the intrigues in this NASS Leadership election, there is no other insight to his emergence, than the fact that Dogara is a ranking member of the House of Representatives. He is eminently qualified for the number four seat in the nation’s order of precedence. He indicated interest to contest based on the fact that initially, the party said the office of the Speaker is zoned to the North East, Later it changed its mind zoning it to the South West.
Looking at the configurations, they have automatically jettisoned the North East, hence, the beginning of strategic alliances and deals. Remember I told you, there were powerful forces with billions of naira in their kitty, but Dogara remained resolute and basked in the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has told the world that he would not interfere in the election into the leadership positions in the National Assembly. That was the magic, and that galvanized the spirit in the Dogara’s Camp that eventually led to the victory of June 9 2015.
Am not a member of the House, but let me tell you if I start telling you the length those powerful forces went and the strategies they adopted, you will think Dogara will lose the election, but at the end of the day, the vote of the people triumphed. Let me also state that the role of the PDP in this victory cannot be overlooked; it boils down to the humility, generosity and acceptability of Dogara as a person.
He did not cut a deal with the PDP if he had, they would have attached conditions, but overall, the PDP members Sympathised with Dogara and voted for him overwhelmingly.
As someone close to Hon Dogara, was it clear from the beginning that he would become a Speaker one day?
Thank you for this question, His Excellency, Right Hon Yakubu Dogara is destined to be a leader, because right from his school days, he has held various leadership positions of which he distinguished himself creditably well. As to your question proper now, upon His election into the House of Representatives in 2007, he was appointed as chairman House Committee on Customs; he performed well and one of the major takeaway during his stint as Chairman Customs was the reforms of the Nigeria Customs. Kudos must go to him, secondly, his second coming in 2011 signalled his aspiration for the number one seat of the lower chamber.
He came out and declared his intention, he was widely supported and looked good to become the speaker, but alas, some powerful forces aligned and realigned to truncate that mission, the rest they say is history. But as God will have it, this is his time, against all odds, he became the speaker. This I will attribute to divine intervention because those forces that were at play in 2011 were still around, in fact, they were vociferous, powerful and unrelenting but God almighty decreed that this is his time. So we give thanks and praises to almighty God for his blessings.
What would his Speakership Portends for the House and the country?
Dogara’s leadership will complement the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in his desire to bring change in all ramifications to Nigerians. Nigerians will witness a House of Representatives that is strong, united, virile and pro-poor.
There will be no procrastination in this current house, capacity building for lawmakers will be top priority in the 8th House of Representatives. Bills that could not see the light of the day in the 7th House particularly, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be reactivated, there will be synergy between this House and the Civil Society and above all, welfare of the lawmakers will also be top priority. Mind you, he was the immediate past House Services Chairman, so he knows what the welfare of members means. Again, one of his major task upon his election was the setting up of a welfare committee which comprises of lawmakers representing each state of the federation.
He also set up a committee to redraft his legislative agenda for the 8th House of Representative, it goes to tell how determined and committed Dogara is towards delivering on his campaign promises. Let me add the expectations of Nigerians are high and I am optimistic he will deliver.
What advice do you have for Nigerians, particularly those in APC who may not be comfortable with the outcome of the June 9 election of Saraki and Dogara?
We should just accept their victory, Thank God, the party has accepted their victories, and Nigerians should also exercise patience and not necessarily lose hope in the ruling party or President Muhammadu Buhari over this issue.
Let me also reiterate that Dogara’s election should not be looked at beyond the normal politicking as I stated earlier, this is synonymous to our politics in Nigeria and this cannot in any way stop our President or the Party from implementing its manifestoes of change in the country.
I personally do not see Saraki or Dogara doing anything in the National Assembly that would jeopardise or affect the positive programme the APC has in stock for the nation. It would be difficult, if not impossible for Dogara to lead a hostile House to the Presidency or frustrate the good lofty agenda of the party for the good and development of Nigeria as long as Nigerians are optimistic and remain resolute on seeing good governance and positive change.