Hon. Yakubu Dogara, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has reacted to the membership status of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who is on an official assignment on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the party has not recognised him as a member, news.ng reports.
Dogara, who appeared on a news programme on Arise Television on Friday afternoon, noted that Wike has not formally indicated that he has joined the ruling APC.
While Wike still parades himself as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dogara, in his view, said nothing stops the immediate past Governor of Rivers State from carrying out a national assignment irrespective of party affiliation.
He stated, “As far as I’m concerned, I have not seen Wike, His Excellency Wike picked up a membership form in the APC. So sadly, he’s not a member of the political party.
“He’s working for the APC government. I believe that even if it’s you, Mr Gbenga, if you are asked by the president to contribute your qua- quota towards the progress of this nation, except you’re not patriotic, you will take it.”
According to the former Speaker, what makes an individual an authentic member of a party is that his name is in the party’s database.
“Well, for me, membership is determined by the registration in the party’s database, membership da- database. And I can guarantee that if you check that database, you will not find the FCT’s minister, minister’s name there,” Dogara added.
Dogara called for more inclusive political participation that recognises experience, dedication, and willingness to serve.
“So going forward, I believe that if opportunity is granted to a talented Nigerian, someone who’s, who has demonstrable capacity to perform in a particular field, field, he shouldn’t be restricted just on account of the fact that he’s not a member of the political party,” he noted.
The Bauchi State politician also called for the cautious use of power and stressed the importance of the role of citizens and the media in protecting the country’s democracy.
“I believe, as far as I’m concerned, that power, as they say, is a poison regardless of whoever wields it. And the responsibility of democracy is defending freedom in a particular political space, is that of the citizen, is that of the media, is the culture of democracy,” Dogara said.
