The Arewa Youth and Women coalition for Good governance from the North East zone, made up of Kebbi, Plateau, Benue and Taraba States recently trooped into the premises of the Nigerian Union of Journalists Kaduna secretariat in their multitude in continuation of their support rally for the candidatureship of Hon. Barr. Yakubu Dogara as the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives.
Arguments put forward by the group for Hon. Dogara’s endorsement as the rightful person to occupy the prestigious seat of the lower chamber aside that of his rich antecedents according to the statement signed and read by the chairman of the group, Awwal Zakariya stated that; The North East made the largest contribution to the electoral fortunes of the APC in both the presidential and national assembly elections. The region he said came second to North West and if not for the insurgence would have superseded the North West.
Another reason was the need to give a sense of belonging to the North East region which has been ravaged by insurgency for years. The region is not only a home for hundreds of minority tribes in Nigeria but made up of sizable Christians who should be given sense of belonging in the APC’s victory brought to the region.
Thus, it would only be fair to zone the speakership to the North East and particularly to Hon. Dogara who has distinguished himself as credible, honest and patriotic legislator.
Hon. Dogara a third term legislator, an erudite scholar, lawyer per excellence has been a member of the Federal House of Representatives since 2007. While in the house, he has chaired 2 House Committees. Namely; the House Committee on Customs and Excise and House Services Committee. He was also a member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Capital Markets and institutions, Foreign Affairs, Rural Development and Power among others.
The current dispensation, (2011-2015) still saw the Hon. Lawmaker distinguishing himself in the discharge of the chamber’s duties. He served as Chairman, Committee on House Services and Welfare, Committee Judiciary, Committee Land Transport, Labour, Employment and Productivity, Steel Development and Legislative budget and Research.
The fire brand legislative interest is said to include tenancy, Regulating monopolies, Company Law and intellectual properties. Electing Hon. Dogara the group see as going to help cement the relationship between Northern Christians and Muslims which would go a long way in fostering unity amongst the people.