Dogara Exposed: Ex-Aide Accuses Former Speaker of Double-Dealing and Ethnic Betrayal

A former close associate of ex-Speaker Yakubu Dogara has unleashed a scathing attack on the lawmaker, accusing him of hypocrisy, betrayal, and ethnic sabotage. According to iReporter Online, the former ally, Barrister Maigida Yakubu, published an 11-page open letter titled “Behind the Curtain of Deceit: Unmasking the Architect of the Zaar Identity Crisis and Division,” in which he criticized Dogara for abandoning principle in the pursuit of political favors.

Maigida accused Dogara of posturing as a moral crusader against the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s controversial Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023, only to later lobby for appointments from the same government he publicly condemned. According to iReporter Online, he said Dogara went as far as orchestrating a Middle Belt protest filled with paid actors to bolster his political image during the elections.

“You paraded yourself as a champion of justice opposing the Muslim-Muslim ticket, but behind the scenes, you were negotiating for scraps of political relevance,” Maigida wrote, suggesting Dogara’s current appointment was a token role designed to silence him.

“You’re now a shadow of the leader you once claimed to be,” he continued. “The government handed you a symbolic chairmanship—not out of respect—but to put a lid on your outbursts. You now scurry around political offices like a desperate fly.”

The former aide didn’t stop at political criticism. He also blamed Dogara for fostering division within the Zaar (Sayawa) ethnic community. “You’ve used your influence to sow discord among our youth, pitting us against ourselves while you chase your own ambitions,” he wrote, challenging Dogara to name even one Zaar youth he genuinely empowered while in office.

Referencing past controversies, Maigida resurrected the budget padding scandal from Dogara’s time as Speaker of the 8th Assembly. He called it the most defining aspect of Dogara’s legislative career, stating: “Padding may be the most enduring legacy you left behind—it trails your name like a shadow.”

According to iReporter Online, Maigida’s letter is widely seen as a bold attempt to expose the contradictions in Dogara’s political journey. The timing, especially after Dogara received a fresh appointment from the Tinubu-led administration, suggests internal rifts within the ruling party and possible resentment among northern elites.

The open letter has reignited debate on political opportunism, ethnic manipulation, and public accountability in Nigeria’s leadership class, drawing strong reactions from both supporters and critics of the former Speaker.

As of now, Dogara has not issued a formal response to the allegations. However, his recent overtures toward the APC leadership and shifting political positions continue to fuel speculation about his future ambitions—and the cost of his perceived compromises.