2027: Tinubu Enjoys Majority Support Despite Dissenting Voices, Says Dogara
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the President continues to enjoy majority support across the country despite the noise from dissenting voices.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics in Abuja, the former lawmaker dismissed opposition claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would struggle to win a free and fair contest, describing such narratives as mere “vitriol and bluster.”
Dogara, a prominent political figure from the North-East, argued that while minority opinions are a healthy part of any democracy, they do not reflect the wider national sentiment.
He maintained that the administration’s strides in infrastructure and governance were already cementing Tinubu’s base.
“We haven’t stopped anyone from expressing contrary views; Nigeria is a democracy. But we have stated our position and our reasons.
“We are open to listening to others, but the reality is that the President enjoys the majority support,” Dogara stated.
Addressing the contentious issue of rotational presidency, a principle often debated between Northern and Southern political blocs, Dogara cautioned against prioritizing zoning over merit.
While he acknowledged the need for fairness, he argued that competence should remain the primary yardstick for leadership.
“The concern will always be that if you go for rotational presidency, then the thing you are compromising may be merit and competence,” he explained.
However, he quickly added a caveat to potential critics: “That is not to say there is any area of human endeavour where you cannot find someone from the North or South who is competent. So, I think we can jettison that argument.”
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he emphasized that “justice is indivisible,” noting that justice for the North must equate to justice for the South to foster genuine national unity.
Dogara cited specific developmental projects as the basis for his endorsement, particularly pointing to President Tinubu’s intervention in the North-East.
He highlighted the construction of a strategic road linking Gembu to Yumguni near the Cameroonian border, a project he noted had been a broken promise since the 1961 plebiscite.
“This was a region dominated by treacherous terrain,” Dogara recalled, praising the current administration for finally addressing an infrastructure gap that had plagued the area for decades.
The former Speaker also fielded questions regarding the alleged marginalization of Christians in Northern Nigeria.
He described the issue as “state-specific” rather than a blanket regional policy, citing states like Plateau, Benue, and Taraba where Christian voices remain strong.
He urged Muslims and Christians to work together to resolve cases of victimization where they exist. When pressed on whether he was positioning himself as a potential running mate to Tinubu in 2027, Dogara was dismissive.
“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 concluded by calling for a return to the kind of cross-religious cooperation that facilitated his own emergence as Speaker years ago.
“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.”
