Dogara's return shows APC lacks ideology, principles

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), says that Hon. Yakubu Dogara’s return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) shows that the party lacks ideology and principles.

Sagay, who is an APC chieftain, further described the return as a big setback for the party’s image.

The Herald reported Friday that Dogara, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has rejoined the party.

This was after Chairman of Caretaker Committee of the party and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, led him to meet President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

Although the Bauchi State-born politician did not address the press, Buni confirmed he rejoined the party he quitted shortly before the 2019 general election for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, Sagay told Daily Independent that Dogara’s return was bad for the APC’s image as it portrays the party as immature.

“For me, this is a big setback for the image of the APC. I think it’s an illustration of the fact that we are yet to adopt ideology and principles in our politics. Because if you have an ideology and philosophy, you won’t be hopping from one party to another.

“So, it creates a negative image of Nigeria and our political parties as immature. Otherwise, nobody drove Dogara away from APC. He woke up one day and decided to follow his friend Bukola Saraki to PDP. Why didn’t he stay there? Why is he back to APC again? So, for him, there is no difference between the two parties,” Sagay said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo SAN said the former speaker never really left APC as his “spirit” remained in the party despite his romance with the PDP.