BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara on Tuesday said that the suspension of traditional titles of political opponents at the behest of Governor Bala Mohammed has become routine now. Hon. Dogara specifically said that before his own suspension, a respected father in the person of the Wazirin Bauchi was suspended just like his comrade in the APC, the Wakilin Birni, was also suspended.
He particularly noted that the Emir of Misau was also suspended by Governor Mohammed, saying; “The question is who is next?
According to him; “This has become the brand of infantile politics of the kleptocracy in Bauchi State. We are not only witnessing the brazen decimation of our State resources, of which hard evidence abounds, but our revered traditional Institutions and culture.
Dogara, who stated these in a press statement in reaction to the purported suspension of his traditional title of Jakadan Bauchi, said that he maintains a clear conscience before God that he had nothing to do with any mayhem that took place in in Zaar land in December 2021, not least the incident involving the Emirs of Das and Bauchi.
Dogara specifically said that he had no inkling whatsoever that the two Emirs would be attending an event that was already marred by crisis before it began.
The former Speaker said he make bold to say, without any equivocation, that he did not know that the Emirs were invited to attend the event and even if invited, that they would indeed attend because none of the two Emirs is accustomed to attending any such event in Zaar land.
Dogara said; “Therefore, how could I have been responsible for any incident involving them? Those who should show remorse are those who insisted on going on with the event and unconstitutionally flooded the area with soldiers whose actions led to the breakdown of law and order in the area.
“Even if it turns out to be true that the Emirate council did what they must do, it would be no surprise to keen watchers of events in Bauchi State.
“I am aware that both His Royal Highness and members of the Council have been under tremendous pressure from the Bauchi State Government to withdraw the traditional title conferred on me for quite some time now.
“It is all part of a smear campaign to portray me as insensitive and convict me in the court of public opinion for the political gains of some desperate characters.
“The million Naira question is between me who alerted the security agencies of the threats posed by the event and those who ignored all the red flags, who showed poor judgment and pathetic leadership?”
The former Speaker assured that he is ready and happy to confront anyone in court over the rubbish filed against him and his brothers as criminal complaint.
In the words of Dogara; “As a lawyer, I am yet to see a criminal complaint filed against anyone without the proof of evidence. No wonder they have been unable to serve the rubbish on anyone. Why are they so inept in concocting even a proof of evidence but so alive when it comes to lying, stealing and deploying public funds?
“I had always seen practice of dictators to charge political opponents with treason and unfortunately, the mini Pharaohs in Bauchi have fallen into that rap but thanks be to God, the Red Sea stands between us,” he declared.
