By Augustine Osayande
The people of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State on Friday staged a protest to condemn the current campaign against Speaker of House of Representatives Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara. The constituents alleged that some politicians in the State have engaged innocent, jobless and unsuspecting youths to protest against the Speaker
Speaking during the protest, the representative of the people Comrade Bully Iliya said the development followed the failure by the politicians to bring development to the constituency in the last three years of this administration.
“The constituents have not even bothered much about this neglect because they have a worthy son who is their Messiah and has shown in words and deeds that he is, as long as representation is concerned.
“That is why we the supporters and members of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal constituency unequivocally state our support, loyalty and appreciation for the quality representation our Leader, the Speaker House of Representatives; Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara has been giving to this great country, state and constituency.
“It is on record that since Dogara assumed leadership at the House of Representatives over three years ago, he has demonstrated his leadership quality which has resulted in ensuring a harmonious and cordial relationship among members of the House of Representatives,” Iliya said.
He further said that under Speaker that the relationship between the Legislature and Executive has been smooth and complimentary. “As a Nigerian, Dogara has ensured that there is justice and fair play in the running of the affairs of the country, whether through balance in the allocation of projects or in other issues,” said Iliya
Iliya added that the Speaker has ensured that issues of insecurity, peace and development the North East sub-region are brought to fore in National discourse and his effort resulted in the attention the Federal Government paid to the region.
“That was why he took the issue of the insurgency and its implication in the area with utmost seriousness. That effort resulted in the attention the Federal Government paid to the region. From the motion on the need to focus attention on the humanitarian crises in the region to the enactment of a Law that established the North East Development Commission and other issues relating to the sub-region, the Speaker has been in the forefront in realising such goals” Iliya added.
He said the Speaker has also ensured that he provides leadership in his constituency and beyond.
“It is on record that he has ensured that he provides foodstuffs and other items to both Muslims and Christians in the whole state during Ramadan, Sallah and Christmas festivities, besides sponsorship to Saudi Arabia and Israel. When there were disasters in many parts of the state, the Speaker sent relief materials and other cash to assuage the situation of the affected communities. There is no gainsaying that in every event, be it negative or positive, the speaker has always identified with the people of the state.
“Furthermore, we his constituents want to categorically state here that since the return of democracy. And in fact, since time immemorial, there has never been any representative, either from the Executive or Legislature that has brought development to our area than the speaker.
“Thus, since he was elected to represent us, we have witnessed an unprecedented development in all spheres of human endeavour. From economic and human empowerment, provision of amenities such as water, solar light, electricity, health facilities, road networks, farming inputs, construction of classrooms, dams and many infrastructures, the speaker has no rival in our area,
“We are, therefore, by this rally, urging the whole world to know that we are solidly behind him and will continue to support and rally round him in his political ambition. Perhaps, these feats by the Speaker may not be good news to people who do not like us, hence the recent orchestrated sponsorship of youths and women, who mostly are ignorant of what they are being told to do, to protest against him” Iliya said.
He said no matter the level of mischief and devilish attempt to smear his name, Dogara remains a leadership role model to many youths not only in his state but Nigeria as a whole and as such they are armed with their personal voter’s cards (PVC) and waiting for 2019 to return him to represent them.
