Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has asked to be excluded from conversations suggesting he could replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Dogara made the appeal on Sunday amid growing speculation that the All Progressives Congress, APC, may again present a Muslim–Muslim ticket in the next presidential race.
He addressed the issue during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he stressed that political decisions should be guided by fairness rather than fear or 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,” Dogara said.
He emphasized the need for inclusiveness in governance, noting that national unity should remain a priority.
“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,” he stated.
Dogara also spoke on the issue of rotational presidency and religious balance, noting that such discussions should not be limited to regional considerations alone.
“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.
He further explained that political representation should reflect religious balance rather than geography.
“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.”
On the possibility of selecting a Christian running mate in 2027, Dogara said the matter remains open for discussion.
“It’s a discussion, and I am aware that such discussions are already taking place,” he said.
He added that the final decision rests with the president, pointing out that incumbency often plays a decisive role in party politics.
“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.”
