Yakubu Dogara, former speaker of the house of representatives, says debates over power-sharing and religious balance should be anchored on justice and fairness rather than fear or political intimidation.
Dogara made the remarks on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ amid speculation that Kashim Shettima, vice-president, may be replaced as Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election.
He argued that effective governance must be inclusive and equitable in order to foster a nation that serves all citizens.
Asked to react to suggestions that his name was being floated as a possible vice-presidential candidate, Dogara distanced himself from the speculation.
“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.
“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.”
Dogara said conversations about rotational presidency should also take into account broader religious considerations beyond geography.
“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.
“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 stressed that decisions on balance should be driven by moral conviction rather than political anxiety.
“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,” he said.
“And justice demands that we should balance things. I think that should be our concern,” Dogara added.
On whether the All Progressives Congress could present a Christian running mate in 2027, Dogara said the matter was already under consideration within the party.
“It’s a discussion, and I am aware that such discussions are already taking place,” he said.
“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.
“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,” he added.