Bauchi APC Chieftain dismisses speculation linking Dogara to vice presidential ambition
By Ahmed Ahmed
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Hon. Bulus Iliya, has dismissed as baseless and mischievous claims circulating on social media that former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, is seeking the office of Vice President ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists during a press conference on Thursday in Bauchi, Hon. Iliya described the narrative as a fabrication lacking any credible foundation, stressing that it was deliberately engineered to ridicule and malign Dogara’s political image.
According to him, the speculation originated from a Facebook post by one Babangida Abubakar Haruna, who shared a poster pairing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with Dogara and labeling them “President 2027” and “Vice President 2027” respectively.
He noted that the post initially attracted little attention until it was reposted by former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani.
Hon. Iliya said Senator Sani’s repost, accompanied by a caption questioning the idea of anyone contesting for the vice-presidential slot, gave the obscure post undue visibility and momentum.
He alleged that the intervention was a calculated attempt to mock Dogara and portray him as desperate and overly ambitious.
“It is inconceivable that a seasoned politician like Senator Shehu Sani would amplify a mischievous post without understanding its implications,” Iliya said, suggesting a coordinated effort aimed at damaging Dogara’s reputation for ulterior political motives.
Reaffirming Dogara’s loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu, the APC chieftain stressed that Dogara has consistently supported the President’s re-election bid.
He further emphasized that the selection of a Vice President is solely the constitutional prerogative of the President, noting that Nigeria’s political history does not recognize primaries or nomination forms for the office.
Hon. Iliya condemned what he described as a deliberate false attribution of the poster to Dogara, challenging Senator Sani to provide evidence linking Dogara to its creation.
He maintained that in the absence of such proof, the blame must rest squarely on those who fabricated and amplified the claim.
The APC chieftain urged political actors to focus on constructive engagement rather than spreading falsehoods aimed at undermining others.
