Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said decisions on power-sharing and religious balance should be driven by justice, not fear or political pressure.
Dogara made the remarks on Sunday Politics on Channels Television amid speculation that Vice President Kashim Shettima could be dropped as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Christian politician stressed that inclusiveness and fairness must remain central to governance if Nigeria is to work for all its citizens.
Reacting to reports linking him to a possible vice-presidential slot, Dogara dismissed the speculation, saying, “Leave me out of this.”
However, he used the opportunity to address broader issues around power rotation and religious balance.
“I would have sincerely pleaded with you to leave me out of this, but let me say something,” Dogara said. “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.
“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 argued that conversations about rotational presidency should also factor in religion, noting that representation goes beyond geography.
“So, if we are talking about rotational presidency, nothing is 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 maintained that such decisions must be rooted in moral conviction rather than intimidation.
“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 All Progressives Congress (APC) might field a Christian running mate in 2027, Dogara confirmed that the matter is under consideration.
“It’s a discussion, and I am aware that such discussions are already taking place,” he said.
