Dogara reportedly picks up PDP nomination form

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has reportedly picked up the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form. Premium Times reports that Dogara picked up the form on Wednesday, September 12.

Although he has not officially left the All Progressives Congress (APC), there has been report that the speaker has been making moves to join the PDP.

Report of his possible defection spread when some lawmakers on the platform of the APC publicly announced their exit from the party notably Senate president, Bukola Saraki.

It will be recalled that the APC caucus met, Dogara, who was then rumoured to be making plans of defecting to the opposition PDP, was visibly absent at the meeting.

There had been earlier report that Dogara reportedly withdrew plans to defect to the PDP.

According to The Punch, Dogara was advised not to make the move due to the numerical disadvantage of the PDP in the House. It was also reported that Dogara has plans to return as speaker in 2019 and to do so, he must be a member of the party that wins the most seat.

The APC still controls the majority today with about 186 members as against PDP’s 162.

A source close the speaker reportedly said: “In 2019, no one is sure how things will pan out. Dogara has less problems to contend with as a speaker today because he is still with the APC. No one is seriously demanding his resignation, neither is he facing any impeachment threat like the Senate President.

“The fear now is that if he hurriedly defects to the PDP to contest the election, his chances of returning as a speaker if the APC retains the majority become a tough call. On the other hand, if he remains in the APC to contest the election and the PDP captures the majority, it will be another problem for Dogara because the PDP, now hungry for power, will pick one of their own.

“A third option, which appears more appealing, is for him to stick with the APC, hoping it will retain the majority. He can then work across parties to get enough votes to remain the speaker.” NAIJ.com had reported that the speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, announced that he will seek re-election into the House of Representatives in 2019.

Dogara’s announcement was contained in a statement sent by his spokesperson, Turaki Hassan, to Premium Times. Hassan, however, did not say if Dogara will run on the platform of his current party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) or if he will defect to another party as widely expected.