Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has warned that the United States could play a more than passive role in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, motivated by its strategic interest in ensuring the country’s stability and maintaining influence across Africa.
Dogara made the comments during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, where he discussed Nigeria’s position in a shifting global order and the potential implications for the nation’s democratic processes.
He described the current international system as collapsed, where nations aggressively pursue their own interests.
“The international order right now has collapsed,” Dogara said. “We are at the point now in history where you are either at the table or you are on the menu.”
The former Speaker cautioned that simply participating in global forums does not ensure protection, noting that “the strongest at the table devours the rest.”
He stressed the need for Nigeria to act strategically to secure its place in global affairs, warning that failure to do so could see the country’s future decided without its input.
Dogara highlighted Nigeria’s critical importance to the United States and the international community, explaining that instability in Nigeria would have widespread ripple effects across Africa.
“They [the US] can’t allow Nigeria to go down because if Nigeria goes down... the ripple effect is something that can actually change the way presently Africa works,” he said.
This strategic concern, he argued, drives major powers to closely monitor Nigeria’s political trajectory, including its elections.
“It is therefore in their own interest to ensure that something is done,” Dogara stated, adding that they may take “more than passing interest” in the 2027 polls without openly declaring it.
Based on his observations, he predicted intensified international attention as the elections approach.
On the issue of lobbying, Dogara acknowledged it as a legitimate practice but expressed concern over reports of the Nigerian government paying $9 million to a U.S. lobby group.
“Lobbying is not bad,” he said. “What I disagree with is the government paying $9m to a US lobby group... to pay $9m is quite on the high side.”
He noted that many countries engage lobbyists in the U.S., but such activities should be transparent and reasonable.
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