Just In: Confusion in the lower chamber as speaker resigns

A Senior Legislative Aide, to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Zakariah Yasan Sinimbut, aka Dogara Junior, has resigned.

He announced his decision to resign on Tuesday, in a chat with Journalists, in Bauchi.
Sinimbut, who was also the Spokesperson of Dogara Campaign Organisation, alleged that he was accused by other Dogara Aides, of working against his interest, and siding with his opponents; an allegation he denies.

He said that the problem started when he invited a former Member of the State House of Assembly, representing Bogoro Constituency, Rifkatu Samson Bebi, to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, after leaving the PDP.

According to him, his call to the former State Lawmaker,‎ was interpreted by some people close to the Speaker, as undermining his political machinery in his Constituency, which comprises of Bogoro, Tafawa Balewa, and Dass.

“I have been working with the Speaker with all honesty, and I have never worked against any of his interest.‎ It is a known fact that the APC does not have a House Member in Bogoro, because we did not win the election there. 

“When Honourable Rifkatu Samson Bebi left the PDP, as a member of the APC, I invited her to join the APC and contribute as she has done in the PDP. That was what caused the problem for me,” he said.

Sinimbut added, that he was invited to the office of Dogara’s Adviser on constituency matters, where he was told that the Speaker has allegedly ordered for the termination of appointment for promoting the former Lawmaker.‎

The Speaker’s Aide further added, that he was also accused of working in cohoot with the State Government and the State APC leadership. which have been at loggerheads with the Speaker for a long time.

“The State Government has never invited me for anything, nor do I go to them for anything. I should have even apologised to them, because I have been speaking against them in my attempt to protect the Speaker’s interest, which I do with all sense of commitment. There is nothing more discouraging than for one to be doing what is not appreciated. That is why I decided to resign my appointment and stop working for Dogara,” he added.‎

“So in my capacity as the Spokesperson of Dogara Campaign Organisation, member Planning and Steering Committee, and a Senior Legislative Aide working for him at the National Assembly, I have resigned from the job,” he said.