Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has raised an alarm over alleged plans to unleash violence on the people of Bauchi State during the forthcoming elections. He said that there was evidence that the state government has procured assault rifles for that purpose. He also debunked insinuations that he was opposing Governor Mohammed Abduallahi Abubakar’s re-election because he is not originally from the state. Speaking at a press conference by a coalition of political parties and stakeholders, United against the BauchiState government, Dogara said they had uncovered a government sanctioned plot to perpetuate violence on unprecedented scale to ensure that the present administration continues to rule over the affairs of the state against their will.
He said: “Now, we have heard, with some evidence, that violence on unprecedented scale is being planned in order to ensure that whether we like it or not in Bauchi State, they will maintain the status quo. Now, the reason why I must address this is because we are all aware, most of us, including journalists, of a young man who came out to polling booth with an assault rifle and the picture was captured. I can even name his name if you want.
I can say one his name is Ilela, you can fill the gap. “Now, my worry is that this thing is being encouraged by the government of the state. All of you know that but the warning I will deliver is that they should desist from planning to kill our brothers and sisters, our uncles and our relations in Bauchi State.
“But in spite of all those things, the resolve of all the people of Bauchi State, as has always been, is to cast their votes, to stay there till their votes are counted and untiltheresultsareknownand by so doing, as we always done, the will of the people will prevail”, he stated. Dogara explained that neither he, nor other people standing against the governor of the state have any grudge against him because he is not from Bauchi State originally, but because he has failed to bring development to the state, having failed in human capital development, promotion of healthcare, education, infrastructure, among others. “We are not fighting as some of them have alleged and rightly so, that the governor is not originally from Bauchi State. That is not the reason. We have welcomed so many people who have done good to this state and we will not stop but anyone who will bring lack of progress.
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