Genuine democrats don’t hate opposition - Yakubu Dogara
- Yakubu Dogara, has again called for peace among political office holders and their opponents
- He said there would be a robust democracy when leaders treat the opposition as friends, and not as enemies
- According to him, the House of Representatives stands for the truth at all times in line with the Oath of Office
House of Representatives speaker, Yakubu Dogara, has again canvassed for peaceful politicking among political office holders and their opponents.
The Bauchi-born politician stated this during interview with the Vanguard newspapers.
The speaker also highlighted several ways in which the lower house has helped in deepening democracy in the country.
He noted that political tolerance boils down to how elected leaders employ their institutional prerogatives.
“By this I mean how the coercive instruments of state are deployed. This is exemplified when leaders treat the opposition as friends, and not as enemies. So once these are lacking, you don’t have a robust democracy, it is now for you and I to determine whether these are present in the context of democracy that we practice in Nigeria,” Dogara said.
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The speaker went on to speak on what have guided the green chambers in its decision making process, as well as how it has handled its relationship with the executive arm of government.
His words: “The one thing I can, however, assure you is that in the House of Representatives, we stand for the truth at all times in line with the Oath of Office we took which is to defend the law and constitution of the country.
“We are by that obligated to pay obeisance to anyone in authority. We have however been able to stamp our foot and when the government is wrong, we say it is wrong. This is the right direction to follow. When the government is however right, we apportion the appropriate praise for that.
“To that extent. I’m deeply thankful to members of the House of Representatives for putting me there as the Speaker. For me, every day has been a learning curve in this position. You know it is not easy for anyone to say he is coming prepared to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria.
“This is for a variety of reasons; number one, you’re presiding over a colossal gathering of 360 members of parliament who are equal in all aspects as there is no master-servant relationship. As a matter of fact, as you’re seated and presiding over the House, your vacant seat is staring at you.”
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Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives say Nigeria is at war due to the frequent killings across the country in recent times. This was reflected in their comments as they debated the recent killings in Sokoto state on the floor of the lower house on Thursday, July 12.
The lawmakers accused Nigeria's security agencies of failing to protect Nigerians despite the constant brazen attacks witnessed across the country, even as they tasked Dogara, to impress it on President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigeria is in a state of war where injunctions of patience do not hold water.
APC official tells why his party could be voted out in 2019 on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
