2027: Tinubu enjoys majority support despite dissenting voices — Dogara

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, insisting that minority voices continue to be heard despite political alignments and discussions over rotational presidency.

Speaking on Channels Sunday Politics in Abuja on Sunday, Dogara highlighted both the administration’s achievements and the need for inclusivity in national governance.

“The concern will always be that if you go for rotational presidency, then the thing you are compromising may be merit and competence.

“But that is not true, because there is hardly any area of human endeavour where you cannot find someone from the North who is competent or someone from the South who is competent. So I think we can jettison that argument,” he said.

Dogara said the establishment of the Forum of Former Members of the Legislature, which he attended, was meant to harness the experience and training acquired by legislators during their service.

He noted that the forum included senators, House members, former state assembly members, and even councillors from all 774 local governments of Nigeria.

“The overriding purpose of establishing the forum is to harness all the skills members acquired while serving the nation and embedding themselves in the legislative process.

Dogara said the establishment of the Forum of Former Members of the Legislature, which he attended, was meant to harness the experience and training acquired by legislators during their service.

He noted that the forum included senators, House members, former state assembly members, and even councillors from all 774 local governments of Nigeria.

“The overriding purpose of establishing the forum is to harness all the skills members acquired while serving the nation and embedding themselves in the legislative process.

During the Christmas period, I travelled to Bauchi to receive the President on a condolence visit and then made my way back to Abuja by road.

“Even with police and army escorts clearing the road, it took almost nine hours. Yet, I have never seen this kind of traffic into the North-East in 15 years. Jos is the gateway to the North-East. Why were people commuting there? It means people are beginning to have faith in improvements in security. People who had fled are now returning during holidays,” he said.

While supporting Tinubu, the former lawmaker stressed that Nigeria remains a democracy where minority opinions are respected.

“We haven’t stopped anyone from expressing contrary views. Nigeria is a democracy. We’ve stated our position and our reasons. We are open to listening to others, and they may even convince us to change our minds,” he said.

Dogara addressed concerns over the potential marginalisation of Christians in Northern Nigeria, noting that it varies across states.

“In some parts, yes. In others, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, you cannot say Christian voices are drowned. Victimisation is a state-by-state issue. But Christians and Muslims working together can resolve it,” he said.

He also responded to speculation about his possible role as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.

“Honestly, I would have pleaded with you to leave me out of that. Whatever we do should not be because we are afraid of anybody. It should be because it is the right thing to do,” he said.

He underscored the importance of religious and regional unity, recalling his emergence as Speaker of the House as an example of cooperation across faiths.

“I want to see my emergence as Speaker replayed again and again, where Muslims defend Christians and Christians defend Muslims. That unity is what we need to rebuild the North and Nigeria,” he said.

On opposition claims that the APC may not win freely contested elections, Dogara dismissed them as “vitriol and bluster.”

He argued that credible alternatives and political mathematics matter more than mere rhetoric.

Culled from punch