2027 Power Play: Bauchi APC Chieftain Slams Shehu Sani Over Claims of Yakubu Dogara’s Vice-Presidential Ambition

The Nigerian political space has once again been stirred by controversy following comments credited to former Kaduna State senator, Shehu Sani, suggesting that former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, is desperate to become Vice President ahead of the 2027 general elections. What began as a seemingly casual social media remark has since snowballed into a heated political debate, drawing sharp reactions from party chieftains, commentators, and the wider public.

At the centre of the storm is Honourable Bulus Iliya, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, who strongly criticised Shehu Sani for what he described as a calculated attempt to malign Dogara’s image. According to Iliya, the controversy originated from an obscure social media post allegedly initiated by one Babangida Abubakar Haruna. On its own, the post attracted little attention and might have faded unnoticed. However, the situation changed dramatically when Shehu Sani reposted the image with a caption questioning Dogara’s supposed ambition to become Vice President, describing it as “mischief.”

Iliya argued that Sani’s intervention, though appearing harmless on the surface, was far from innocent. In his view, the former senator’s comment was a deliberate effort to ridicule Dogara and portray him as politically desperate. By amplifying the post to his large online following, Sani effectively transformed a minor social media jab into a national talking point, thereby shaping public perception in a negative way.

The Bauchi APC chieftain went further to suggest that the episode might not have been coincidental. He raised the possibility of a coordinated effort between the original poster and Shehu Sani, alleging that the former laid the groundwork while the latter played the role of a “neutral observer” to lend credibility and visibility to the narrative. Though no concrete evidence was provided to substantiate this claim, the allegation itself has intensified political tensions and fueled speculation about hidden agendas within opposition and ruling party circles alike.

Beyond the immediate personalities involved, the controversy has reopened broader debates about ambition, power struggles, and identity politics ahead of 2027. Reactions from the public, particularly on online forums, reveal deep divisions. Some commenters dismissed the idea of Dogara as a viable vice-presidential contender, arguing that he lacks grassroots support in Bauchi State and beyond. Others countered that Dogara’s rise to the position of Speaker—despite being a Christian from a minority group in a predominantly Muslim northern state—demonstrates political skill, resilience, and broad-based appeal.

Religion has emerged as a particularly sensitive fault line in the discussion. Several commentators argued that a Christian presidential or vice-presidential candidate from the North would struggle to gain acceptance under current political realities. Others rejected this notion as exaggerated or discriminatory, pointing out that many northern states have significant Christian populations and that competence, alliances, and party structures often matter more than religion alone. The back-and-forth has underscored how deeply religion still shapes political calculations in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, some voices have questioned why expressing interest in higher office should be controversial at all. They argue that in a democracy, politicians should be free to declare their ambitions without being mocked or demonised. From this perspective, even if Dogara were interested in the vice-presidential slot, it would simply reflect healthy competition within the political system rather than desperation.

The controversy also highlights growing cracks within the APC and the wider political elite as the 2027 elections draw closer. Accusations, counter-accusations, and public posturing suggest that behind-the-scenes jockeying for power has already begun, despite official assurances of party unity. For critics like Shehu Sani, the episode provides an opportunity to question the ambitions of political rivals. For supporters of Dogara, it is seen as an unfair attack designed to undermine a prominent northern Christian politician.

As things stand, Yakubu Dogara himself has not made any formal declaration regarding a vice-presidential ambition. Yet, the intensity of the reactions shows how even unconfirmed narratives can dominate national discourse. Ultimately, the episode serves as an early reminder that the road to 2027 will be shaped not only by policies and performance, but also by perception battles, identity politics, and the strategic use of social media to frame political narratives.