Dogara's aide resigns, denies working against the speaker

A senior legislative aide to the Speaker House of
Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Zakariah Yasan
Sinimbut has resigned.
He announced his decision to resign in a chat with
journalists in Bauchi.
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 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.