By Rita Michael,
Bauchi
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has pledged to protect and defend the interest of people of Bauchi State in arriving at any political decision ahead of 2019 general election.
Dogara gave the assurance at a reception held in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State to mark his 50th birthday.
On the political developments in Bauchi State, he said, “wherever the interest of majority of the people dictates that we should go to, that is where you will find me, by the grace of God.”
He dismissed fears expressed by the member representing Lere/Bula in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Mohammed Aminu Tukur, who expressed concerns over rumours of political realignment and reconciliation in the state and said that as a leader, he will never betray the trust of the people of Bauchi State.
The Speaker maintained that the he would be guided by public interest and assured his political associates and followers that they would be consulted and carried along before taking any decision ahead of the 2019 election.
“As a leader, I’m not going to put a rope on anybody’s neck to drag him anywhere, never.
“But as leaders, our overwhelming concern should be the interest of our people, the development of our state and how we can better the lot of everyone in this state.
“That being the case, it means that we will always have to protect the interest of our people first and not our own interest. And I believe in consensus. We are going to sit down as brothers and sisters on a table of brotherhood and all our stakeholders will be involved. Even if it is agreeing to disagree, let us agree to disagree.
“That is a commitment, we will work on the project, and the project is that of our people. Wherever the interest of majority of the people dictates that we should go to, that is where you will find me, by the grace of God,” Dogara said.
