Dogara Backs Tinubu, Says Merit, Inclusion Must Trump Politics of Rotation
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu, insisting that minority voices remain protected despite political alignments and ongoing debates over rotational presidency.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics in Abuja, Dogara acknowledged both the achievements of the Tinubu administration and the need for inclusive governance that reflects Nigeria’s diversity.
Addressing concerns that rotational presidency could undermine competence, Dogara dismissed the argument, insisting that merit is not exclusive to any region.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Dogara also spoke on the establishment of the Forum of Former Members of the Legislature, describing it as a platform to harness the collective experience of past lawmakers at all levels of governance.
The forum, he said, brings together former senators, members of the House of Representatives, state legislators and councillors from all 774 local government areas.
“The overriding purpose is to harness the skills members acquired while serving the nation,” Dogara explained.
“At a time when democratic values across the world are under threat, we feel a responsibility to unite behind the ideals that brought us into politics and speak with one voice.”
On the sensitive issue of rotational presidency, Dogara framed it as a matter of fairness and trust-building, stressing that justice must be evenly applied.
“Justice to the North must be justice to the South. Justice is indivisible,” he said, quoting civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.
“Once we accept that, it becomes easier to adjust the arrangement so there is no room for mistrust.”
He pointed to developments in the North-East as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to balanced governance, citing infrastructure and security interventions in the region.
Dogara recalled a recent visit to the Mandara Plateau, where President Tinubu initiated the construction of a long-abandoned road linking Gembu to Yumguni near the Cameroonian border—a promise dating back to the 1961 plebiscite.
“This was a region dominated by treacherous terrain. What used to take six hours will take about 45 minutes when completed. That is leadership,” he said.
On security, Dogara said there were visible improvements in the North-East, noting increased movement and economic activity during the Christmas period.
“I have never seen this kind of traffic into the North-East in 15 years. People are beginning to have faith in improvements in security. Those who fled are now returning, even if only during holidays,” he said.
Despite his support for the President, Dogara emphasised that Nigeria remains a democracy where dissenting opinions must be accommodated.
“We haven’t stopped anyone from expressing contrary views. We are open to listening, and they may even convince us to change our minds,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the marginalisation of Christians in Northern Nigeria, Dogara said the situation varies by state and can be addressed through cooperation.
“In Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa, you cannot say Christian voices are drowned. Victimisation is a state-by-state issue, and Christians and Muslims working together can resolve it,” he noted.
Dogara also played down speculation that he could emerge as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027, saying leadership decisions should be driven by principle, not fear.
“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 renewed religious and regional unity, recalling his emergence as Speaker as a product of cross-faith cooperation.
“I want to see Muslims defend Christians and Christians defend Muslims. That unity is what we need to rebuild the North and Nigeria,” Dogara said.
Dismissing opposition claims that the APC cannot win in a free and fair contest, Dogara described such arguments as “vitriol and bluster,” stressing that credible alternatives—not rhetoric—are what ultimately shape electoral outcomes.
