2027 Presidency: Dogara Finally Speaks on Rumoured Vice-Presidential Ambition
- Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has reacted to speculations linking him to a possible vice-presidential slot in 2027
- The ex-lawmaker said leadership and nation-building are not reserved for perfect individuals, stressing that he is not without flaws
- Dogara noted that his experience as Speaker exposed him to critical aspects of governance, but said all he is today is by the grace of God
Legit.ng's Muslim Muhammad Yusuf is a 2025 Wole Soyinka Award-winning journalist with over 8 years of experience in investigative reporting, human rights, politics, governance and accountability in Nigeria.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has reacted to speculations linking him to a possible vice-presidential slot alongside President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Dogara spoke against the backdrop of growing debates within the All Progressives Congress, APC, over whether the party may again present a Muslim–Muslim ticket in the next presidential contest.
Source: Facebook
Dogara said leadership and nation-building have never depended on perfect individuals, noting that throughout history, societies have been built and sustained by ordinary people with flaws.
The former Speaker made the remarks on Sunday while speaking on Channels Television, when asked about the possibility of accepting the position of Tinubu’s running mate.
Dogara acknowledged that despite his years of political experience, he does not consider himself perfect, stressing that all his achievements are by the grace of God.
Leadership not for perfect people — Dogara
According to him, his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives — where he once ranked as the fourth-highest public officer in the country — exposed him to critical aspects of governance and leadership.
He explained that occupying such a high office gave him access to knowledge, responsibilities, and experiences that many Nigerians may never encounter.
“Well, honestly speaking, I don’t know why I’m being asked these questions,” he said.
“But let me say this: I don’t think I’m ever prepared for anything. What I know is that everything I am is by the grace of God.
“I see myself as totally unprepared, though I have a rich pedigree. I have served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, having been number four in this country of about 200 million people. There are certain things I know that a lot of people don’t know.
“I can assure you of that, but all I know is that I’m not perfect.”
Dogara’s comments come amid growing political speculations and alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political actors and parties begin early positioning over possible presidential and vice-presidential combinations.
Dogara speaks on rotational presidency, religious balance
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has added his voice to discussions on rotational presidency and religious representation in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
Dogara said conversations about rotational presidency should go beyond regional divisions to include broader religious considerations, ensuring both Muslim and Christian communities are fairly represented.
“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.
“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 noted that any decisions on vice-presidential slots or party tickets should be guided by justice and fairness, rather than fear, and that leaders must listen to public opinion on balancing representation.
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Dogara confirmed that discussions about the APC fielding a Christian running mate are ongoing and emphasised that while serving presidents rarely lose their party primaries, public consultations remain important to maintain unity, particularly in the northern region.
He further noted that historically, serving presidents in Nigeria rarely lose their party primaries, suggesting that President Tinubu will likely secure the APC ticket.
However, he emphasised that public opinion and democratic consultations, particularly on balancing religious representation, should be considered.
He said:
“Ultimately whatever decisions that he takes, I believe that it is up to him, but if we have overwhelming majority of our people making a case that these things should be balanced, as a democrat, I sincerely believe that he will listen to it.
"Particularly for us northerners like me and you, I’ve always insisted that anybody who divides the north along religious lines has actually conquered the north,” Dogara concluded.
He reiterated that achieving religious balance in political offices is critical to fostering cohesion and preventing divisions along faith lines in the north.
Analyst weighs Tinubu’s vice-presidential options
As speculation intensifies over President Bola Tinubu’s choice of running mate for the 2027 elections, political analysts are weighing the potential consequences of retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima or selecting a candidate from Nigeria’s Christian community.
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Sagir Baba Nationalist, a political analyst, said the decision carries significant political, regional, and religious implications.
Baba highlighted that dropping Shettima could provoke resistance in the North, where the vice president enjoys considerable influence and political clout.
“Shettima has built strong networks across the northern states especial in North east and retains the support of many key stakeholders. Removing him from the ticket could trigger backlash from northern political leaders and the electorate,” he said.
The analyst argued that such a move could destabilise APC’s carefully managed regional balance, choosing a running mate a sensitive exercise.
At the same time, Baba noted the importance of considering Nigeria’s religious diversity in the decision.
“Given the country’s history and the need to maintain national cohesion, it would be ideal to consider the other major religious sect when selecting a running mate. It’s not just a political calculation; it’s a strategic necessity for maintaining unity,” he explained.
The analyst also discussed alternative candidates, citing former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara as a potential option.
“Dogara could be a formidable choice for APC. He has experience, cross-regional appeal, and could serve as a balancing figure. However, his inclusion would need careful management to ensure northern support remains intact,” Baba said.
Baba concluded that the decision on the running mate should not be rushed. He stressed that political, religious, and regional dynamics must be carefully balanced to maximise APC’s electoral prospects.
Tinubu’s minister warns APC against dropping Shettima
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has warned that dropping a Northern Muslim as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate could hurt the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Musawa said removing Vice President Kashim Shettima or replacing him with a non-Northern Muslim running mate could undermine Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 general election.
Thank God I'm not Tinubu's running mate - Dogara
Legit.ng earlier reported that Yakubu Dogara declared that he was grateful he was not Tinubu's running mate in the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said a same-faith ticket was dangerous and could lead to a crisis in Nigeria.
Dogara also dismissed suggestions that he was against the APC's Muslim-Muslim ticket because he was not chosen as the party's vice presidential candidate.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
