‘Buhari’s stance encouraged me to contest’

House Speaker Yakubu Dogara has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance not to interfere in how the leadership of the National Assembly emerged, encouraged him to contest for the post.

Dogara, who spoke during a meeting with some state caucuses, said he would not be vindictive.

The Northern caucuses urged the Speaker to forget the acrimony caused by the election and work with all parties.

Dogara said: “We must also commend the President for his decision not to interfere in the process leading to our emergence by refusing to impose anybody on us. It was his stand on this matter that gave us the encouragement to offer ourselves for this leadership.

“Although, we faced a seemingly insurmountable hurdle which took the grace of God to come about like a miracle. So it was Nigerians who made this possible; members from all part of the country, and so we can’t say it was only the people of Bauchi or the Northeast who supported me.”

Dogara said he would not run a divided House.

“We must come together to bring about stability and unity in the House, so as to make the achievement of the President’s policies a reality by facilitating speeding enactment of legislations that would help him to govern well.”

The joint caucuses of Kano and Jigawa states, which supported Femi Gbajabiamila, were led by Alhassan Garba Ado Doguwa.

Doguwa said the delegation came to congratulate Dogara, adding that the Kano caucus obeyed party directive by voting for Gbajabiamila. He said they have no regrets for doing that.