Youths denies Dogara’s claim of security threat at Mwari village

Youths from Mwari village in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Monday refuted the claim by the immediate past Speaker, House of Representatives, Right Honourable Yakubu Dogara, of security threat in the village that may lead to breakdown of law and order if not carefully handled.

Addressing journalists on behalf of Mwari youth at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Press Centre secretariat in Bauchi, Pastor Isuwa Samaila, declared that Dogara’s claim was aimed at disrupting the planned commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the death of the late Sayawa nation crusader, Baba Peter Gonto.

Samaila, who was in company of other Mwari youth leaders declared that the claim by Dogara, who represents Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa federal constituency in the House of Representatives, was not true.

According to him, the people of Mwari completely supported the reception in honour of the late Gonto.

“We, the concerned youths in Mwari, Bogoro LGA of Bauchi State, feel duty bound to refute the complaint written to the Inspector General of Police purportedly signed by Rt Hon. Dogara Yakubu, the honourable member representing Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of the Federal House of Representatives which is also making the rounds in the social media.

“In the complaint, it is alleged that unless the planned reception in honour of the Zaar sage, Baba Peter Gonto is put on hold, there may be a very serious breach of the peace.

“The author further argued that he has worked hard to restore peace to the area, that he is so concerned about any activity that is to reverse the peace enjoyed in the area.

“We are here to address you, members of the press and to inform you clearly that, as youths of Mwari, the claims in the complaint are not true.

“We, on our behalf and the people of Mwari completely supports the reception in honour of our grandfather, late Baba Peter Gonto. We interact closely with youths within our neighborhood, there is no any unanimity that the reception should go on,” Samaila said.

He described the late Gonto was not only a political leader in Sayawa land but also a religious leader and a pacesetter who propagated peace and unity among the Zaar people, saying that no amount of honour would be too much for him.

“Our late sage, Baba Peter Gonto was a political leader, a devoted religious leader, a pacesetter in Sayawa land, whose ideals were to propagate the message of peace and unity amongst his people, so no amount of honour that would be given to him will be too much.

“Moreover, the late Baba Gonto was a father to every Zaar man who was an architect of unity among the Zaar people and our neighbours. He was further the beacon of hope and light,” he submitted.

Samaila said Mwari youths were surprised that any Sayawa persons would oppose a reception in honour of the late Gonto, adding that they were surprised that Dogara, who was a Mwari in-law would oppose a reception for the sage.

“We are surprised that any Zaar man would have the courage and audacity to oppose a reception in honour of this legend. We are much more surprised that Rt. Hon. Dogara Yakubu, who is an in-law to Mwari would want to oppose a reception in honour of this great man.

“The intention of the convener of this event is primarily to foster unity in and around the Zaar nation, to showcase the past achievement of late Baba Gonto to the upcoming youths for them to emulate,” he submitted.

He declared that the event was not for any selfish interest, saying that, “it is not meant to pursue selfish interest as certain group of persons would want the world to believe.

“The project is not only meant to sensitise the youth on the need for peaceful and harmonious coexistence but also to institute a foundation in the late sage’s name which would be meant to assist indigent Sayawa sons and daughters in pursuit of their various callings.”

He then expressed the support and readiness of Mwari youths for the event, saying that, “we would like to state in a clear and loud voice that we the youth in Mwari are in support of the event and we are actively involved in all the events. No one should deceive the world that we are not in support of the event.”

Meanwhile, efforts to get Dogara’s reaction on the issue proved abortive, while his media aide, Hassan Turaki, did not pick up the calls put through to his phone nor replied the text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.