Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has endorsed the candidacy of Air Marshall Sadiq Baba Abubakar (rtd) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for next week’s governorship election in Bauchi State.
The former Speaker is a member of the People’s Democratic Party and member of the Presidential Campaign Council of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
In 2019, he led a coalition of political parties and interest groups in Bauchi to oust former Governor Mohammed Abubakar and helped to install Bala Mohammed, who is now seeking re-election under PDP.
However, shortly after the elections, Governor Bala Mohammed allegedly reneged on all political agreements he entered into before the election.
Mohammed began to fight with prominent citizens of the state who opposed his style of governance including Dogara and an elder statesman, Alhaji Bello Kirfi, who was a minister in the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari. The governor stripped him of his traditional title of Waziri of the Bauchi Emirate.
Dogara accused Bala Mohammed of non-payment of salaries of teachers and civil servants.
Recently, Dogara led a campaign team of Air Marshall Sadiq Baba Abubakar across some Bauchi local governments, including Kirfi and Alkaleri, the hometown of the governor.
Speaking to a mammoth crowd of supporters in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Wednesday, Dogara urged the people to tow the path of honour by voting out Governor Mohammed from office.
“We came to tell you the truth, that we need to effect a change of leadership in Bauchi State,” he said.
“I came here to enlighten you that even though your son (Governor Mohammed) is there but since he is not doing well, we should change him. I urge you all to cast your vote for Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar come Saturday.”
He described Abubakar as a father who will bring succour to the people of Bauchi State.
Recall that Dogara endorsed and delivered the APC candidate for his Federal Constituency of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa, Jafaru Leko and the Bauchi South Senatorial District, Shehu Buba in the just concluded National Assembly polls.
