BUHARI, ATIKU, SARAKI HAILS DOGARA AS HE CELEBRATES HIS 49th BIRTHDAY

BUHARI, ATIKU, SARAKI HAILS DOGARA AS HE CELEBRATES HIS 49th BIRTHDAY

- Yakubu has been described as a youth by President Buhari and Atiku Abubakar

- This was contained in congratulatory messages to the speaker as he marked his 49th birthday

- Buhari said Dogara's performance had reinforced his confidence in the country's youth

The speaker received congratulatory messages from President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate president Bukola Saraki and former vice president Atiku Abubakar as he marked his 49th birthday on December 26.

   Yakubu Dogara received congratulatory messages as he marked his 49th birthday

Buhari said he was impressed with Dogara’s leadership style and his performance has reinforced his confidence in the country’s youth.

“With Dogara’s performance as Speaker, fears that the country’s younger politicians have been pushed into the background are unfounded,” the President said.

Saraki wished the speaker continued wisdom and foresight in the years ahead.

In a congratulatory message to the Dogara, Atiku said he was one of Nigeria’s most skillful politicians who had demonstrated amazing leadership qualities at such vibrant young age.

He said he was greatly impressed with how the speaker handled the leadership crisis in the House when it was inaugurated by dousing tension and restoring sanity.

Atiku said: “Speaker Dogara has proved his weight in gold and wowed even the most stubborn skeptics about his capability for the exalted responsibility. I am proud of what you have achieved so far in terms of sustaining unity and harmony in the House. Your performance is impressive and I would always support you in the endeavor to achieve unity not only in the House but also in our Party, the APC.

“You have given me hope that, if given a chance, our youth can perform wonders. As your savor the joy of this happy occasion, I wish you more good health, greater fulfillments and long life in the service of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, suspended lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin has warned Buhari against supporting Dogara amid the budget padding scandal.

Suspended Kano lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin has expressed his disappointment at President Buhari’s seeming support for Speaker Yakubu Dogara amid the budget padding scandal.

He said it would be dangerous for Buhari’s government.