By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi.
Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi state has observed that internal leadership crisis in the House of Representatives has now made its Speaker, Yakubu Dogara a wounded lion that hit at every image on his sight.
Abubakar therefore advised Speaker Yakubu Dogara that he should not deviate from the right track, but instead squarely face his budget padding problem in the House as, according to the Governor, Dogara’s integrity is at stake.
The Governor, who was Monday debunking allegation for sponsoring protest against the speaker at the resume sitting of the House after recess leveled against him, said he was acknowledged for the prudent management of Bauchi State resources.
It would be recalled that a civil society organization, Nigeria Civil Society Desk had in a press conference in Abuja Sunday alleged that Governor Mohammed Abubakar doled out N30 million as sponsorship for protest against Speaker Dogara at the House resume sitting after recess.
Desk, led by its coordinator, Friday Eleojo alleged that Governor Abubakar gave one Mr. Tosin Adeyanju the sum of N30 million ostensibly as Sallah gift but in reality a payment to organize another round of protest against the House leadership.
Eleojo explained that Desk has the proof of its allegation against Governor Abubakar as, according to him, the group has what it termed ‘hard evidence’ of connivance between the Governor and Tosin Adeyanju.
Governor Abubakar, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media Affairs, Comrade Sabo Mohammed, said that he has nothing against Speaker Dogara, stressing “Let Dogara go and face his problem of budget padding with NASS.
“The position is that there are insinuations of this budget padding and then the position of the Governor because of his zero tolerance on corruption, let Dogara go and clear himself against the alleged budget padding”.
Abubakar further explained that he was not even aware of the person called Tosin Adeyanju and the alleged involvement of N30 million is huge enough that Bauchi state government can use it in carrying out so many things in the state.
He opined that if the so-called Nigeria Civil Society Desk has the proof of the connivance between him and Tosin Adeyanju, it could have display it during its Sunday press briefing in Abuja for the general public to confirm.
“But what we are saying is this, Dogara group as fondly call the Abuja politicians are just trying to make unnecessary noises in Abuja with a view to blackmail the good reputation of Governor Mohammed Abubakar and his over rising political profile in national politics.
Governor Abubakar stated while he acknowledged that the Dogara group are members of his party the APC, it would not be out of place if the group will join hands with him to bring about the much-needed democracy dividends to the good people of Bauchi state.
