Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has reacted to reports linking him to a possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Dogara asked Nigerians to exclude his name from speculations surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s choice of running mate for the next election cycle.

He made this known during a televised interview on Sunday monitored by POLITICS NIGERIA, while responding to growing political conversations within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former Speaker spoke at a time when debates have intensified over whether the ruling party will retain a Muslim–Muslim ticket in 2027 or consider a different religious balance. His comments focused on unity, inclusion, and fairness in Nigeria’s political structure rather than personal ambition.

Dogara stressed that decisions about leadership should not be driven by fear or political pressure. He said such choices must be guided by what is right for the country and its diverse population.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Moreover, Dogara further explained that discussions about religious representation should be approached with national unity in mind.

He said Nigeria’s leadership must reflect both major faiths in a way that promotes trust and shared ownership of government.

When asked directly about the possibility of a Christian being chosen as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027, Dogara confirmed that internal talks were already ongoing within political circles.

“It’s a discussion, and I am aware that such discussions are already taking place.

“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.”

However, Dogara’s statement suggests that the final decision will rest largely with President Tinubu, who is expected to secure the APC presidential ticket if he chooses to run again.