*As Tinubu’s running mate
By Euclid Myke
A coalition of support groups within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Nigeria’s North-East geopolitical zone has officially endorsed former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as the preferred running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The endorsement was made public during a meeting of the coalition held in Gombe State on Monday. The gathering brought together APC governors, lawmakers, party stalwarts, and grassroots leaders from across the North-East zone.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the group’s leader, Hon. Sha’abdini Bello emphasized that Dogara’s track record of inclusive leadership, national appeal, and his status as a Northern Christian make him the ideal choice to strengthen the party’s ticket and foster religious balance. They noted that during his tenure as Speaker of the 8th National Assembly, Dogara demonstrated an unmatched commitment to inclusivity, ensuring fair representation across Nigeria’s diverse states and regions.
“Dogara’s acceptability across religious and ethnic lines, as well as his proven leadership credentials, position him as a unifying figure that can consolidate the APC’s national support base,” the coalition stated.
The endorsement comes amid growing speculation over the possibility of President Tinubu restructuring his ticket to accommodate a Christian running mate, in a bid to appeal to a broader section of the Nigerian electorate.
Although President Tinubu’s current Vice President, Kashim Shettima, hails from the North-East and is a Muslim, the coalition’s latest move suggests that political calculations ahead of 2027 may be evolving within the party.
Following the endorsement, the coalition announced plans to dispatch a delegation to Abuja to formally present their recommendation to President Tinubu.
However, Yakubu Dogara, who has been relatively silent on his political ambitions, is yet to make any public declaration regarding the 2027 presidential race.
The North-East APC zonal meeting earlier this month in Gombe had reaffirmed support for President Tinubu’s leadership, but notably did not make any categorical mention of Vice President Shettima’s continued role on the ticket, further fueling speculations about possible adjustments.
Political analysts believe the North-East coalition’s endorsement of Dogara reflects an emerging strategy within the APC to address religious sensitivities and build a more inclusive national ticket ahead of the next general elections.
