Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara has accused Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of suffering from amnesia over his stinging criticism following his endorsement of the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.
The Quest Times reports that Dogara publicly broke rank with the All Progressives Congress (APC) following its adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, decamping back to the PDP where he was appointed as a member of the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, much to the chagrin of Governor Wike.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Indorama- Agbonchia- Ogale- Ebubu East/West Link Road on Monday, Wike slammed Dogara for allegedly going back on his words, where he stated that the Presidency should return to the South only to turn around and support Atiku.
He said, “What I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I would challenge them to a debate. Ask Dogara: what made you leave PDP?” the Governor asked during the event held on Monday.
“Dogara was to see me; unknown to me, he gave me an excuse and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has gone to APC. I say ‘Okay, no problem’.
“The same Dogara said the presidency should be zoned to southern Nigeria for there to be peace. Now, I hear about the same Dogara (backing Atiku from the north). Is that how you do things? Can’t you say something and stand by it?”
Responding to the ‘tirade,’ Dogara in a series of tweets, accused Wike of suffering from amnesia.
According to the former Speaker, he wont betray a friend by divulging their private discussions, except Wike gives him a written consent to divulge their private discussion to the public.
He tweeted, “To my brother, Governor Nyesom Wike; if there is anything you are suffering from, I never thought amnesia would be one of them. Why would you think no one, except you, is entitled to a certain set of principles he/she cannot compromise?
“It’s such a pity if you cannot remember what our discussion and agreement was all about. Why should only your own position be respected and followed? I would never betray a friend and a brother that is why I won’t respond to your tirade on live TV.
“The details of our conversation is sealed up with me but if you feel it’s okay to throw it to the public kindly give me a written consent to divulge it so that the public can judge who is saying the truth. Thank God there was a witness!”