From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The North-East Coalition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups has endorsed former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as a credible and unifying candidate for the vice presidential slot in the 2027 general elections.
The resolution was reached at the end of a two-day meeting of the coalition in Gombe. The meeting which was attended by delegates from across the region, including executive committee members and representatives of affiliated support groups, was convened to review the party’s trajectory and chart a course for its strengthened relevance in the country’s evolving political landscape.
In a communiqué after the meeting, the Coalition described Dogara as a seasoned national figure, whose inclusive leadership style during his tenure as Speaker of the 8th Assembly represented the interest of all six geopolitical zones. According to the group, his balanced appointments and bridge-building efforts make him a trusted and tested leader well-suited to complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next electoral cycle.
“Dogara embodies the principles of unity, federal character and statesmanship. His emergence as vice president will not only energise the APC’s base in the North-East but will also reinforce national cohesion,” the Coalition stated.
Beyond the political endorsements, the Coalition reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the supremacy of the APC and declared total loyalty to the party’s national leadership under Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. It called on all stakeholders to remain focused and united under the party’s vision, particularly during this period of renewed hope and national transformation.
The group also commended President Tinubu for fostering inclusive government and urged the administration to expand its engagement with technocrats and patriotic Nigerians, who reflect a national perspective and intellectual capacity.
However, as part of its demands for equitable development, the Coalition called for the immediate acceleration of the Akwanga to Gombe Road project. It described the road as a strategic link between the North-East and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emphasising that timely procurement and construction of the road would reflect the administration’s commitment to balanced infrastructural development across all regions.
Meanwhile, the Coalition also took a firm stance against the activities of certain factions within the party, specifically condemning the actions of the ‘Pro-Arewa Group,’ which it accused of pursuing personal interests at the expense of regional and national progress.