Bauchi APC Chieftain Dismisses Speculation Linking Dogara to Vice Presidential Ambition
By Abdulwahab Muhammad
A leading chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Hon. Bulus Iliya, has strongly refuted claims circulating on social media that former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, is positioning himself for the office of Vice President ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi on Thursday, Iliya described the speculation as baseless, mischievous, and deliberately fabricated to tarnish Dogara’s political image.
The controversy stemmed from a Facebook post by Babangida Abubakar Haruna, which featured a poster pairing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with Dogara under the caption “President 2027” and “Vice President 2027.” Initially overlooked, the post gained traction after former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, reposted it with a caption questioning the idea of contesting for the vice-presidential slot.
Iliya argued that Sani’s intervention gave undue visibility to an otherwise obscure post, suggesting it was a calculated attempt to mock Dogara and portray him as desperate.
Reaffirming Dogara’s commitment to the APC, Iliya stressed that the former Speaker has consistently supported President Tinubu’s re-election bid. He emphasized that the choice of Vice President is constitutionally the prerogative of the President, not subject to primaries or nomination forms.
The APC chieftain challenged Senator Sani to provide evidence linking Dogara to the controversial poster. In the absence of proof, Iliya maintained that responsibility lies with those who fabricated and amplified the claim.
Hon. Iliya concluded by urging political actors to focus on constructive engagement rather than spreading falsehoods aimed at undermining others. He condemned attempts to ridicule respected leaders and called for a more responsible use of social media in Nigeria’s political discourse.
End
