Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has warned that the United States may take a more active interest in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections due to the country’s strategic importance and influence in Africa.
Dogara made the remarks during an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, where he discussed Nigeria’s role in the evolving global order and its implications for the nation’s democracy.
“The international order right now has collapsed. The truth is that we are at the point now in history where you are either at the table or you are on the menu,” Dogara said.
He cautioned, however, that merely participating in global decision-making forums does not guarantee protection or influence.
“To be very frank, I don’t think being on the table is a guarantee for you not to be on the menu. We have run into a situation where the strongest at the table devours the rest.”
Dogara stressed the need for Nigeria to be strategic in its international engagements. “If care is not taken, if we don’t do the right thing, if we don’t take all the steps to be at the table, I can guarantee to you that Nigeria’s future may be determined without us,” he said.
He further highlighted Nigeria’s significance to the United States and other global powers, noting that the country’s stability has far-reaching consequences for Africa.
“The concern is that they [the US] can’t allow Nigeria to go down because if Nigeria goes down, they say the ripple effect is something that can actually change the way presently Africa works,” he explained.
According to Dogara, this explains why major powers closely monitor Nigeria’s political trajectory and electoral process.
“It is therefore in their own interest to ensure that something is done. They may not come out clearly to tell you that they will take more than passing interest … 2027 forthcoming elections,” he said, adding that international attention is likely to intensify as the elections draw closer.
On Nigeria’s reported engagement of US lobby groups, Dogara described lobbying as legitimate but questioned the reported $9 million payment by the Nigerian government.
“Lobbying is not bad. What I disagree with is the government paying $9m to a US lobby group. As far as I’m concerned, it’s speculative except I see evidence. There is no country in the world that doesn’t have a lobby group here. It is not out of place for Nigerian government to engage a lobby group but to pay $9m is quite on the high side,” he said.
Dogara concluded that Nigeria’s foreign policy must navigate a rapidly changing and increasingly unstable global order, emphasizing transparency and strategic action in international engagements.
