By CHIDI OBINECHE
YOUTHFUL Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara at a quick glance cuts the image of an easy-going fellow that can neither hurt a fly, nor pull strings. But a closer look at his springy strides shows a locomotive efficiency that in a huffy has steadied him on the national stage of discourse since the convoluted events that led to his emergence as speaker this time last year. Not one given to controversies, two issues have managed to alter that squalid perception of him.
While the nation was still awash with the stinging accusation from Abdullahi Salame representing Gwadabawa/Illela Federal Constituency, Sokoto that he snidely facilitated a bill that would expand the application of Sharia Law in Nigeria, a surprise amendment of the CCB( Code of Conduct Bureau) and CCT( Code of Conduct Tribunal) washed up. Salame had promoted a bill, which would expand the criminal aspects of the Sharia, as well as make it applicable nationwide, and not just in the 12 northern states that adopted the Islamic legal code.
Dogara, a Christian was accused of allowing the bill to go un- debated in “collusion” with Salame. Although he swiftly denied it and went the whole hog to lecture on the nitty- gritty of legislation, not a few Nigerians, especially Christians were swayed by his grisly and tedious explanations. “Those talking about “sneaking” a bill are either ignorant of the process or plainly mischievous.” This bill, which has been sent to the House Special Ad – Hoc Committee on Constitution Review for legislative fireworks, has stimulated much interest and placed the speaker within lens view. Not the least, is the CCT/CCB amendment. It came like a “thief in the night,” catching most observers of the trial of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki at the tribunal pants down. Dogara has in these two instances shown that his quiet mien, sober physiognomy, and cool visage can also dredge from the deep into a quick silver and feather duster. He has demonstrated that, like the ostrich, he can stand twice his normal height and run faster than anything else on two legs. He says through these that contrary to some expressed views, he has never been a sitting duck, and is fully adapted and engineered to steer the boat whether in turbulence or calm waves. And these even say much more about the roaring stability in the House and the good relationship with the Presidency.
Born on December 26,1967, Dogara represents Bogoro/Dass/ Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi. He began his education in 1976 at Gwarangah Primary school in the then Tafawa Balewa, Local Government Area, LGA of Bauchi state in 1976 and later proceeded to the Bauchi Teachers College for his secondary education, obtaining his Grade 11 Teachers certificate in 1987. In 1988, he went on to the University of Jos and obtained a Bachelor of Law(LLB Hons) degree in 1992. From 1992 – 1993, he was a student at the Lagos campus of the Nigeria Law school and was called to the bar in 1993. He later obtained a Masters ( LLM) in International Commercial Law at Robert Gordon University , Aberseen, Scotland. He also attended a course on managing and leading strategic change in 2006, the Oxford University course on negotiation in 2013, and a course on leadership in crisis at the Havard Kennedy School in 2014. After his National Youth Service Corps( NYSC) in Akwa Ibom State in 1994, he went into private legal practice until 2005 when he was appointed special assistant to the Minister of State for Transport. In 2006, he contested for a seat in the House of Representatives and has been a member since then. He has sponsored many bills and motions before becoming the speaker in 2015.