Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has asked to be left out of speculations that he may replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 election.
Dogara spoke on Sunday amid growing debate over whether the All Progressives Congress (APC) might again field a Muslim–Muslim ticket in 2027.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Dogara said discussions about leadership choices should be guided by what is right for national unity rather than fear or political pressure.
“I would have sincerely pleaded with you to leave me out of this, but let me say something. Whatever we are doing shouldn’t be because we are afraid of anybody breathing down our necks; it should be because it is the right thing to do,” he said.
He stressed the importance of inclusiveness in governance, adding that Nigeria must be brought together to build a nation that works for all citizens.
“We are talking about running an inclusive government, bringing everybody in this country together, so that we can build a nation that works for all of us,” Dogara said.
On the issue of rotational presidency and religious balance, he argued that discussions should go beyond Northern Christians alone to include the broader Christian community.
“So, if we are talking about rotational presidency, there is nothing stopping us from having that discussion as well, because you are not just talking about Northern Christians but about the Christian faith as a whole,” he said.
Dogara added that religious balance could be better achieved if political representation clearly reflected both faiths.
“If you have a Muslim, whether he comes from the North or the South, let it be that he is representing the Muslim community. And if you have a Christian, wherever he comes from, he represents the Christian faith. That way, you achieve religious balance,” he said.
On the possibility of a Christian running mate in 2027, Dogara confirmed that the issue was already under discussion within political circles.
“It’s a discussion, and I am aware that such discussions are already taking place,” he said.
He also noted that, historically, sitting presidents rarely lose their party’s nomination, suggesting that President Tinubu is almost certain to secure the APC ticket.
“At the end of the day, whatever the president decides, nobody who is a serving president has ever lost the party primaries. So, we assume that the president will get the party’s ticket,” Dogara added.
