The aspiration of Yakubu Dogara for the Speaker of the House of Representatives got a boost yesterday when two youth groups marched in Abuja in his support.
The youths, under the aegis of the Northeast Unity Forum (NUF) and Nigerian Youth Against Political Sabotage (NYAPS), told reporters that their action was informed by the need to ensure justice and fairness in the distribution of leadership positions in the new government.
The National Coordinators of (NYAPS), Tony Obuah and Alhaji Mohammed A. Wandi, who spoke on behalf of the groups, said: “We have gathered here today in solidarity to give a sense of belonging to the people of Northeast. To say that they have suffered so much and they need to be given the opportunity to feel accepted as bona fide citizens of this country”.
“You can bear me witness the trauma these people have gone through and are still going through due to the Boko Haram insurgency. There has been increasing poverty in the Northeast. Education is at its lowest ebb because of insurgency.
“So, we feel it’s high time they are compensated having produced the second largest votes that gave victory to the All Progressives Congress in the just concluded presidential elections on March 28th.
“So, we need to give them a sense of belonging by showing them that they are our brothers and sisters.
“Since the return to democracy in this 4th Republic, they have never held any prominent political position apart from appointment and they should be given a chance this time around.
“And this time, we have seen the quality of good leadership in Dogara. He has demonstrated over time that he has the capacity to manage people and resources through his exemplary conduct in handling various committee assignments as chairman,” he said.
He noted that Dogara, who is one of the ranking members of the incoming 8th Assembly, has also shown maturity on the floor of the House during debates on matters that effect the Northeast and Nigeria as a whole.
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