In his very first reaction to the results of the election in which he defeated former Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, by eight votes, he admitted that it was a “miracle” that he won.
He had said that looking at the formidable forces against him before the election, it came as a surprise to him that he emerged victorious.
Dogara had polled 182 votes to defeat Gbajabiamila, who scored 174.
He also said that reliance on conventional wisdom alone would not solve the nation’s problems, noting that the country would likely achieve limited success without prayers.
Dogara specifically urged Nigerians to pray for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari and other persons in leadership positions in the country.
A statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, quoted the Speaker as making the calls during a church service held at the Living Faith Church, Durumi, in the Federal Capital Territory.
At a separate meeting with former members of the House, Dogara said he assumed full responsibility for the fracas which broke out on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday last week.
Enraged APC lawmakers punched one another, tearing clothes and throwing chairs as they fought over the sharing of principal offices in the House.
The leadership of the APC had written Dogara and recommended names to him to announce as Majority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Leader, Mr. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; Chief Whip, Mr. Mohammed Monguno; and Deputy Whip, Mr. Pally Iriase.
But addressing the former lawmakers, Dogara said he could not toe the party’s line because the names did not reflect geographical balancing among the six zones in the country.
Dogara added, “Assuming they win the case and the court now rules that that directive of the party breaches the provision of the constitution relating to the federal character.
“So, do we now begin to see somebody vacating his office or principal position so that we can accommodate the court’s ruling?”
