FROM PAUL ORUDE BAUCHI
A senior legislative aide to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Zakariah Yasan Sinimbut has resigned.
Sinimbut announced his decision to resign in a chat with journalists in Bauchi yesterday.
Sinimbut who was also the spokesperson of Dogara Campaign Organisation alleged that he was accused by other Dogara’s aides of working against his interest and siding with his opponents, an allegation which he denies.
He said that the problem started when he invited a former member of the state House of Assembly representing Bogoro constituency, Rifkatu Samson Bebi to join the All Progressives Congress ( APC) after leaving the PDP.
According to him, his call to the former state lawmaker was interpreted by some people close to the speaker as undermining his political machinery in his constituency which comprises of Bogoro, Tafawa Balewa and Dass.
“I have been working with the speaker with all honesty and I have never worked against any of his interest. It is a known fact that the APC doesn’t have a house member in Bogoro, because we did not win the election there.
“When Honourable Rifkatu Samson Bebi left the PDP, as a member of the APC, I invited her to join the APC and contribute as she has done in the PDP. That was what caused the problem for me,”he said.
Sinimbut said that he was invited to the office of Dogara’s adviser on constituency matters where he was told that the speaker has allegedly ordered for the termination of appointment for promoting the former lawmaker.
The Speaker’s aide further added that he was also accused of working in cohoot with the state government and the state APC leadership which have been at loggerheads with the speaker for a long time.
“The state government has never invited me for anything nor do I go to them for anything. I should have even apologise to them because I have been speaking against them in my attempt to protect the speaker’s interest which I do with all sense of commitment. There is nothing more discouraging than for one to be doing what is not appreciated. That is why I decided to resign my appointment and stop working for Dogara,’he added.
“So in my capacity as the spokesperson of Dogara Campaign Organisation, member Planning and Steering Committee and a Senior Legislative Aide working for him at the National Assembly, I have resigned from the job.,”he added.