Yakubu Dogara’s Defection Creates Power Tension

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Although his defection came as a surprise to many, reports indicate that it was well planned.

On Wednesday, preceding Sallah, some members of the opposition met a former deputy national chairman with Dogara at Wuse 2 in Abuja.

Two days after the meeting, about five lawmakers along with Dogara met with the APC’s interim chairman and Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni in Abuja. The source confirmed that, apart from Governor Samuel Ortom, who confirmed that he was being offered an invitation to join the APC, another governor was beginning to consider leaving the PDP altogether.

A governor said a close associate of Bukola Saraki was trying to return to the ruling party. He joined the PDP with his boss but now it is not clear if he has Saraki’s permission to return.

Instead of focusing on internal mediation over the controversy the ruling party has found itself in, it is gathered that the Buni faction has decided to focus more on pursuing major defectors from the PDP. The party leadership also wants to achieve this before its national convention.