Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said decisions on power-sharing and religious balance in Nigeria should be driven by justice and fairness, not political pressure or fear.
Dogara made the remarks during an appearance on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, amid speculation that Vice President Kashim Shettima could be replaced as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He stressed that governance must be anchored on inclusiveness to build a nation that works for all citizens.
Asked about reports linking him to the vice-presidential slot, Dogara dismissed the speculation.
“Leave me out of this,” he said.
“I would have sincerely pleaded with you to leave me out of this, but let me say something,” he added.
Dogara argued that political decisions should be guided by principle rather than intimidation or pressure.
“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.
“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 said debates around rotational presidency should also factor in religious considerations beyond regional interests.
“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.”
Dogara warned that any attempt to balance power should be rooted in justice, not fear.
“But honestly, if we’re going to do anything along those lines, it shouldn’t be that we are scared, but because, as men of it, we believe that God requires of us to do justice.
“And justice demands that we should balance things. I think that should be our concern.”
On whether the APC might consider a Christian running mate in 2027, Dogara said the matter is already being discussed within political circles.
“It’s a discussion, and I am aware that such discussions are already taking place,” he said.
He added that President Tinubu is likely to secure the party’s ticket if he seeks re-election.
“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 concluded that while the final decision rests with the president, public opinion could influence the outcome.
“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.”
